Inconsolable Cassper breaks down as he bids farewell to DJ Sumbody

Family and friends gathered at Lewende Woord church in Centurion, Gauteng, for a memorial service for musician and businessman Oupa John “DJ Sumbody” Sefoka.

The musician was reportedly shot dead on Sunday.

Cassper Nyovest, DJ Vetis, Junior Taurus, sports, arts, culture and recreation MEC Morakane Mosupyoe were among those at the service. 

The ceremony started with a prayer followed by a tribute video for DJ Sumbody of his Ayepyep Lifestyle Lounge lockdown sessions with Lamiez.

Sony Music Africa head of legal and business affairs Katlego Malatji said Sony will support the family through the music they made with Sumsounds Music and recalled meeting him 10 years ago.

“Everything Sumbody said prophetically about himself, his life, dreams and aspirations came to pass. He believed every word he spoke and backed it up with action to turn it into reality. He was bold, tenacious and unrelenting in pursuit of his dreams. A big dreamer. Calculated, passionate and compassionate. He was the people's champion.”

Colleague and close friend Junior Taurus assured the musician's family his legacy would live on as he had more than 50 unreleased songs by DJ Sumbody.

The producer and DJ read a tribute from Sumsounds Music written by Charmaine Mogotsi.

“This feels like a nightmare. I don't believe I'm talking to you at your memorial service. Oupa and I have been working [together] for the past nine years or so. Oupa granted me an opportunity to grow and learn the industry. We worked together and our relationship grew to be a brother and sister relationship. He was a loyal person and very overprotective.”

DJ Sumbody's business partner and long-time friend Kagiso Setsetse spoke of their 22-year friendship and journey in the industry since opening  Ayepyep in 2016 in Sunnyside.

“He never gave up. We have lost a solider, a brother and a community leader; 22 years of friendship. Oupa was the brother I never had. He had a plan for anything.

Close friends rapper Cassper Nyovest, DJ Vetis and Bonus paid tribute to the star.

“You took my best friend guys. Who am I going to gossip with now. He made me. He was a man with a plan,” said DJ Vetis.

Cassper, whose relationship with DJ Sumbody began when the musician started his radio career and grew closer to him in 2014, couldn't hold back his tears.

“He was an old soul, very grounded. It was sort of like you had a father and a friend in one person. He taught me a lot of things I didn't know and a lot of things I had forgotten from my parents and I'm very grateful to have had a friend like that.”

Bonus said he couldn't rest after DJ Sumbody's death and wanted justice for his friend.

“There is no-one who can do something like this and we don't find him. Those people who ambushed you should come forward. The government must do something about what happened to you. Our hearts are broken. I haven't slept for the past four days. Please help us.

“Those circulating the pictures, please stop that to respect the privacy of the family. Though buddy, you need to rest. Give us the light for what happened and then we'll get answers.”

Support independent journalism by subscribing to the Sunday Times. Just R20 for the first month.