Penny Penny threatens fellow artists at funeral

18 January 2016 - 18:50 By Tonny Myambo
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Penny Penny during an interview.
Penny Penny during an interview.
Image: Gallo Images / Daily Sun / David Mbekwa

The funeral of a Xitsonga artist turned into a screaming match when Shangaan disco king Penny Penny publicly threatened to assault his fellow artists.

Speaking during the funeral of Sam Sikiza Chauke, 59, in Mashobye village outside Malamulele over the weekend, Penny Penny, originally Eric Nkovani, said some artists were using Xitsonga music to hurl insults at him and others.

"I'm going to beat the hell out of those artists who swear at me and insult me. I'm very old and can't allow a young boy to come and call me by names," said Penny Penny.

Amongst the musicians attending the funeral was Benny Mayengani, who is a popular supporter of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) party. Since joining the EFF a few years ago, Mayengani has used his music to sing against President Jacob Zuma and the ANC.

Penny Penny is a well-known ANC supporter, having served as a ward councillor in Giyani.

In 2013, he gained more popularity as a politician after a long awaited tar road between Siyandhani and Nkuri villages got a nod from the provincial government and the Giyani local municipality.

Mayengani declined to comment on Penny Penny's outbursts, stating that he was at the funeral to pay his last respect to his role model.

"I'm not here to entertain such people who are against me, but I'm here to pay homage to the man who taught me music. I looked up to him (Chauke) as role Model," he said.

The last Chauke died at the Malamulele Hospital on January 8, 2016, after suffering from a long illness.

He started playing music in the 1990s, scooping a South African Music Award in 1996. He died with nine albums under his name.

- African Eye News Service

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