Johannesburg - The Lewende Woord Centurion Church was a sea of white as friends, colleagues and family members gathered for an all-white-themed memorial to celebrate the life of Oupa John Sefoka, known as DJ Sumbody.
“A lover of people and bringing premium experiences in the hood, his Veuve Clicquot All White parties were a testament of his passion of bringing culture, lifestyle, good music and showcasing amazing talent,” his family said earlier in the week.
DJ Sumbody’s management, Sumsounds Music, confirmed that he died in the early hours of Sunday, November 20.
Delivering an emotional tribute, Cassper Nyovest spoke fondly about DJ Sumbody, sharing how their friendship began.
“I am here to talk about my friend. Me and DJ Sumbody met a long time ago. And I just knew he was a DJ.
“I don’t know where he got my number from but when he was on the radio, he would call me every week to give me an interview without letting me know anything before. So I’d answer, thinking he was just calling me. And that’s how our relationship started.”
The rapper and businessman spoke candidly about Sefoka’s personality, and said he was an honest person.
“He wasn’t scared of telling the truth that everyone was scared to say. And we became very close mutual friends from there. And then fast-forward, he did Monate Mpolaye, which he waited a little while for, and we released the song.
“I didn’t really feel the song. I just did the song because he wouldn’t take no for an answer.”
Nyovest said that when the song was released, it changed the careers of everyone who was involved.
“He was also grounded and rooted. It was like you had a father and a friend in one person. He asked very simple questions that were very difficult to answer. But after that question, you would really re-evaluate your life. It was like a reset that you needed, and that was DJ Sumbody.
“He taught me a lot of things that I didn’t know. A lot of things I’ve forgotten from my parents. I am very grateful to have had a friend like that. It’s such a difficult time for us all. When you had a problem, whether it was business or personal, there was one person,” he shared.
DJ Sumbody’s brother, Koketso Sefoka, said: “We have been robbed of a brother, we have been robbed of a son to my mother, we have been robbed of a partner to Tlotlo, and we have been robbed of a potential neverending life with my brother.
“I am shattered. I was the second respondent on the scene. I think before my father’s death, I had never cried as much as I have. I broke down into pieces.”
He also expressed gratitude to everyone who had supported his brother while he was alive.
The celebration of DJ Sumbody’s life included performances by several of his friends in the music industry.
The Star