Family, friends and fellow entertainment industry peers gathered at the Soweto Theatre to pay tribute to the late “Isidingo” star Darlington Michaels.
The actor, whose real name is Teboho Ndarana, died earlier this week in hospital, following a short illness.
Guest speakers who took to the podium to talk about the vibrant and charismatic character, who took on the role as “Papa G” in “Isidingo”, included close family, neighbours and industry peers.
Actor Sello Maake KaNcube shared his first encounter of Michaels.
He shared a story of how blown away he was after seeing Michaels perform in the stage play “The Eye”.
“What a giant Bra D was ... I first experience him on stage in a musical and when it was over I was like ‘Yoh’. What we witnessed was a whole world unfolding before us.
“What a talented brother. I watched them and later came to find myself working in their midst. May his soul rest in peace. We will forever remember bra D,” said Maake KaNcube.
Another speaker also shared a similar experience when he visited her high school to perform in a play.
“I was very fascinated by the sounds, by the music, by the performance. I could not cope. I (would) get home and imitate all the characters ...
“I remember during the winter time the curfew for girls was 6pm, I once went to one of his play’s and the time was well after 6pm, but I didn’t care. I was fascinated,” said the speaker.
Meanwhile, Disebo Tlebere, the chairman of the Gauteng Sports, Arts, Culture & Recreation Portfolio Committee, took to the podium to talk about how the department have taken strides to improve the lives of artists in the entertainment industry.
“It’s been a long 30 years across the board. Our sector hasn’t got the best of it, there has been changes here and there and I guess one of the biggest challenges we still face is how do we make sure that in the next two to three years, we try for legislative change in terms of what is governing us as practitioners.”
Other speakers included “Redemption” actress Tina Jaxa and Michaels’s grand-daughter.
“When I received the news about his passing, I consoled myself by saying it’s better because he was in so much of pain, but when I sat down with myself and reflected, I didn’t want him to die, not as yet.
“I still wanted him to be there for my graduation, I still wanted him to see me get my first car or buy my first home ... He loved his family, he took pride in being a family man ... I really still wanted him to be around ...
“We will forever miss him, we will always love him and his beautiful, vibrant, colourful and flamboyant soul rest in peace,” said Michaels’s grand-daughter.
Michaels funeral will be held at Uncle Tom’s Community Centre in Orlando West on Saturday, September 21, from 9am to 11am.
The funeral procession will travel to Westpark Cemetery after the service.
Watch the full memorial service below.