Celebs' farewell to popular gay singer

Candles flickered as Malaika's Tshedi Moyo sang Amazing Grace to a framed portrait of 3Sum member Jeff Moyo while mourners arrived for his memorial service in Newtown, Johannesburg, yesterday.

The loss of Moyo, a key member of the openly gay pop band, was keenly felt by the group's lead singer, Amstel Makwane, who wept in the front row of the popular Bassline club where the service was held.

Mourners included designer Ephraim Molingoana, Selimathunzi producer Joe Carreira, socialite Uyanda Mbuli, Feather Awards founder Thami Kotlolo, singer Andy Magazz, ballerina Kitty Phetla and actress Khabonina Qhubeka. MetroFM DJ Lupi Ngcayisa hosted the service.

This was their moment to bid Moyo, 33, farewell. He died on Thursday after a short illness.

Molingoana, a close friend of Moyo, said he had "been fine until the World Cup, when he started complaining about constant stomach pains".

"I advised him to see a doctor, who had said Jeff was suffering from having too much acid in his stomach. That was what was causing the pain. Then he went back home to Tlhabane, in Rustenburg, where he was on medication.

"When I spoke to him last Monday he didn't sound like the Jeff I knew. And then we got news about his death on Thursday. It was all so sudden."

Moyo, a former teacher, formed 3Sum with Makwane and bandmate Koyo Bala. Their first album was released in 2002.

They were the first African band to openly declare their homosexuality, making statements in song titles including Thina sizohlala siziMoffie (We will always be gay).

Moyo, a friend of late singers Brenda Fassie and Lebo Mathosa, sang for the last time in Polokwane, during the soccer World Cup.

His uncle, Titus Mekgwe, said he hoped Moyo's friends would set his spirit free so that he could rest in peace.

"All those people who were hurt by Jeff, may they forgive him. All those who had grudges against him, may they let that all go.

"If Jeff ever touched your life and did good for you, please don't stop it there but continue to show good to others, just for Jeff," he said.

At the end of the service, Makwane went on stage in shiny clothes and knee-high boots to sing their popular songs Koko and Butterfly.

Moyo will be buried on Saturday.