The legendary singer, Khuzani Mpungose, says it is as if he left a blessing for gospel singer Deborah Fraser, who passed away on Sunday after a long illness. Khuzani had just performed a song with the celebrity who was expected to come out on his album this year. According to Khuzani, when he was asked to perform a song with Deborah, he felt very blessed. “Deborah’s music made me grow and always blessed me. Receiving an invitation to do a song with her, was not something I took lightly.

 

“Deborah has been a legend not only in South Africa but also in other countries.” Khuzani says the news of her passing did not go down well with him, especially as he could not even get a chance to sing their song together in front of people. “I was really looking forward to the release of this song and I was really looking forward to being together on stage as when we recorded it, it was great as if we were old friends,” he said. He says he takes it as a blessing to have the opportunity to do a song with Deborah at the last minute of her life.

“This song is like a blessing to me that when she came to record her last album, she thought of putting me in it,” he said. Khuzani described Deborah as a relaxed, loving and warm mother. For this yet unreleased album, Deborah has a song she did with Big Zulu, who also cries out for the same thing. Big Zulu told ILANGA that he was sensitive to the passing of the industry, and said he was humbled to have the opportunity to work with her. “It has never been better for a person to pass away and I was still looking forward to being with her on stage, letting people know our work together.

“To the family and to all those close to Mam Deborah, I say no to racism,” said Big Zulu. He described the recording with Deborah as something that will always be in his heart.

Universal Music CEO Deborah Tlale, a company owned by Deborah, confirmed that everything was ready for the release of the album, which was expected to be released in the middle of the year. “We have compiled the songs, we are waiting to see which one we will line up and the exact date we will release it,” said Tlale.

He also confirmed the performance of Deborah and Khuzani and Big Zulu on the album. Deborah was one of those gospel singers who could sing with a variety of musicians. He has sung with David Masondo of Soul Brothers fame, Brenda Fassie, Sipho Mbhele and others. A memorial service is expected to be held on Thursday at The House of Treasure Ministries, Rispark, Johannesburg. At the time of writing the details of the Durban memorial are expected to be finalized tomorrow, Friday. Deborah’s funeral service will be at The Station near Durban Station, before she is laid to rest in Hillcrest Cemetery,