Arts and Culture Minister Nathi Mthethwa had to pause during his speech at the memorial for Mandoza after a brawl broke out in the crowd.
His speech was barely audible to those in the audience as jeering could be heard.
Eventually it was clear that a fight had broken out and police had to intervene.
The Minister of Arts and Culture stepped back until the crowd was silent.
It was then that Mthethwa described Mandoza as a lion who roared for the last time at the Thank You SABC concert held at Orlando Stadium a week before his death.
"That was his last roar which all of South Africa will remember and the people of the world," said Mthethwa.
Mthethwa also praised Mandoza's widow, Mpho, saying she was a lioness who stood by her man shoulder to shoulder.
"We are here to pay tribute to a hero. Mandoza is a hero who is going to last forever," he added.
Entertainment heavyweights are at the memorial for the singer who died on Sunday afternoon.
Zahara, Mshoza, Zola, Brickz and Doc Shebeleza have all paid tribute to the singer.
