Top Billing's Simba Mhere saved his dad's life

''Simba didn't scream when the car crashed into us ... I don't think he even saw the car coming."

The TV personality's father, Joseph Mhere, said his only son, killed on impact, never knew what hit him.

The 26-year-old, a rising star on the lifestyle show Top Billing, was laid to rest after a moving service at the Rhema Bible Church in Randburg, Johannesburg. He and his friend Kady-Shay O'Bryan, 29, were killed when a VW Polo crashed into them early on Saturday last week.

Mourners at the funeral included musician Loyiso Bala and Simba's Top Billing colleagues, including close friend Basetsana Kumalo, the programme's executive producer.

Simba's younger sister, Valerie, said she admired how well-balanced and disciplined her brother had been.

She then affectionately "exposed" him with funny tales, including that he had run an "illegal" driving school after finishing school and had stolen bathrobes from hotels.

Joseph Mhere, who was to have driven Simba's car back home from the airport, was sitting next to his son when the other car crashed into the right-hand side of theirs. He had offered to sit in the back, but Simba had said no to this.

That decision saved the 60-year-old's life.

Simba was driving north on William Nicol Drive and was about to take the off-ramp to OR Tambo airport when the car slammed into them.

''The car rolled about three times before it stopped. Simba and Kady didn't scream once. I think the impact killed them," said his father.

Joseph was pulled from the wreckage by paramedics.

''While they were checking me, they checked on Simba and Kady ... they told me there was nothing they could do ... they were gone," he said.

In an interview, Joseph said: ''Simba took our family to another level. He was very respected in the industry even though he was there for such a short time."

He said Simba's mother, Angela, was overwhelmed by the outpouring of sympathy from fans and friends.

''It's a big wound. It will take a very long time to heal. I need to hold her hand through this. I need to be strong for her and my daughter," he said.

Joseph said that even as a child Simba had loved performing. When the Top Billing presenter search began they had encouraged him to enter.

"When he was chosen it was an unbelievable moment. Thousands of youngsters were trying for that spot and when your child takes that spot, it's like a dream come true," he said.

Simba and his parents, both missionaries with Jesus Alive Ministries, moved to Johannesburg from Zimbabwe when he was two. The family were close and, despite his fame and fortune, Simba had still lived at home. "Simba didn't want to move until he made sure we were on our feet," Joseph said.

Randburg police spokesman Warrant Officer Johannes Maja confirmed that two cases of culpable homicide had been opened. The driver of the other car in the crash is a 23-year-old man from Lenasia.

Jonathan Boynton-Lee, Simba's close friend and co-presenter on Top Billing, said he was shattered by the death.

''He was my brother, my soulmate. I haven't slept or eaten in three days ... I'm not coping," he said on Wednesday.

A memorial service was held on Friday for O'Bryan, the mother of a four-year-old girl.

laganparsadm@sundaytimes.co.za, bornmanj@sundaytimes.co.za