Popular radio presenter who made his name popular on Radio Bantu which is now called Ukhozi FM, Sokesimbone “Sox” Kubeka will be laid to rest today.

Kubheka age 83 passed away on Monday, will be buried at the Fourways Memorial Cemetery in Randburg Gauteng after the service which is currently underway at Cosmo City Extension 5, Randburg.

Apart from broadcasting, Kubheka also made a name for himself by acting in television shows, including Shaka Zulu (1986), Inkom’ Edla Yodwa (1989), and The Gift (1991)Stay in the Dead.The news his death was revealed on Facebook by his daughter, Dithuso Monare. She said they were shocked by his father’s death because he was still energetic and diligent about going to the gym at Virgin Active.

A music producer who knew the deceased well, Dr. Sipho Sithole, described the deceased as one of the pioneers who held the instrument hot on Radio Bantu during the apartheid years.

 

 

“Sokesimbone, who was known as Sox Kubheka, is one of the broadcasters of the early days and difficult times in our country, who helped us to look through the lens of our mind to see what the world has in store for us.

“We knew their words as if we had seen their faces.”

Sithole said Kubheka worked during the times of Guyboy Mpanza, Dabula Chiliza, Koos Hadebe, Hubert Sishi, King Edward “K.E.” Masinga, Joshua Mlaba and Thetha Masombuka.

“Those were the broadcasters who first said something like ‘Here’s the news coming back from Pretoria, I’m told to read it as it is.’ It was a time when they were ordered to call the activists of the struggle ‘terrorists.’”

He said that Kubeka are the pioneers who are able to stand out in other activities and they end up being respected writers of plays that were not to be underestimated.

Kubheka was born in Harrismith, Free State but taught in schools in KwaZulu-Natal, including Swayimani High in Pietermaritzburg.

Sithole said that Kubheka’s contributions are what led to the establishment of a school named after you, Sokesimbone High.