Two well-known South African entertainers died and two other people were injured in an accident on Sunday on the N3 near Heidelberg, Johannesburg police said on Monday.
”Jazz artist and guitarist Prince Kupi (36) and his wife, theatre actress Zandile Ncgobo (32), died when the VW Polo they were travelling in overturned,” said Captain Thivhulaui Tshilate.
He said Kupi, who was driving the car, lost control of the vehicle, causing it to overturn.
A couple travelling in Citroen then hit the overturned vehicle. A 47-year-old man and his wife, also 47, sustained serious injuries and were taken to Alberton hospital for treatment.
Kupi was a former Standard Bank Young Artist of the Year winner and had performed with artists such as Hugh Masekela and Judith Sephuma. His debut album, Loxion, was released in 2002.
According to his record label, Sheer Sound, Kupi had a great love for Latin and Caribbean sounds, and many of the tracks on Loxion convey this sensitivity, along with influences of smooth jazz and the typically South African mbaqanga sound.
”Kupi was an all-rounder; a guitarist, bandleader, composer and arranger who stayed true to his Soweto roots. He came from a showbiz family — he was the brother of choreographer and dancer Nomsa Kupi Manaka and uncle to poet Mak Manaka,” reported Artslink.co.za on Monday.
Ngcobo was a theatre performer who also directed plays.
They are survived by their son, Bohlokwa. — Sapa