A dispute has reportedly erupted between the family of late veteran actor Seputla Sebogodi and his widow, former ANC Member of Parliament Machwene Rosina Semenya, over where the beloved television star should be buried.
Sebogodi, who died last week at the age of 63 after complications linked to diabetes, is at the centre of a disagreement that has overshadowed preparations for his funeral, with relatives insisting he should be laid to rest alongside his ancestors in Ga-Mothapo village outside Polokwane, while Semenya is reportedly planning for him to be buried at Silicon Memorial Park Cemetery in Polokwane.
The actor, best known for his roles in Bophelo Ke Seshogo, Generations and numerous other South African television productions spanning decades, is understood to have married Semenya around six months ago.
Semenya is a seasoned ANC politician from Limpopo who previously served as Chairperson of Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Human Settlements. During her years in Parliament, she was involved in oversight of government housing programmes and municipal human settlements projects, and has long been regarded as one of the ANC’s influential figures in Limpopo politics.
The burial dispute came into the spotlight after a funeral details were revealed in a flyer reportedly by Semenya, announcing that Sebogodi’s first memorial service would take place at the South African State Theatre in Pretoria on Thursday, 23 July, followed by a second memorial service at Jack Botes Hall in Polokwane on Friday, 24 July. The poster flyer states that his funeral service will be held at Jack Botes Hall on Saturday, 25 July, before his burial at Silicon Memorial Park Cemetery.
However, members of Sebogodi’s family have objected to the arrangements, arguing that the actor should instead be buried in his ancestral home of Ga-Mothapo. According to the family, they were informed that the decision on the burial rested with her.
Sebogodi’s sister, Marry Kau, said the family remained firm in its belief that her brother should be buried where generations of their family have been laid to rest.
“We want him to be buried in Ga-Mothapo and not in Silicon. I will not have a problem if they bury him in Atteridgeville. But burying him in Silicon, no, that will not happen,” she said. Kau said it was important for Sebogodi to be buried alongside his ancestors, where his family members are buried.
Attempts to obtain comment from Semenya were unsuccessful.
