WeeklySA_AdminMOURNED: She was a phenomenal artist deserving her legacy to be kept alive by public support for her upcoming album, a gift to her fans…
By Gugu Sibiya
The passing of Gospel music star Dr Deborah Fraser (56) passing last Sunday at Chris Hani Baragwanath hospital is still causing ripples across the country.
Unbeknown to many had been that she had been ill for some time, suffered a stroke she suffered two weeks ago that landed her in hospital.
Affectionately referred to as the Empress of gospel music, she passed away 25 days before her birthday on June 9. Although her health had endured challenges lately, she fought valiantly until she took her last breath.
Up to then, her spirits had been kept up by something she was really looking forward to – a recently completed upcoming offering.
Seriously touched by covid-19 and its consequences, she poured her heart and soul into the single Omama Besililo. She penned, produced and roped in luminaries like Yvonne Chaka Chaka, Tu Nokwe, Nomcebo Zikode and Vicky Vilakazi.
I met Debs in the 80s while working at Thandi magazine. She was backing “it” stars like Brenda Fassie, Mercy Pakela, Rebecca Malope, Yvonne Chaka Chaka and Lucky Dube.
When Letta Mbuli, Caiphas Semenya, the late Miriam Makeba, Jonas Gwangwa and Hugh Masekela came back, she added them to her resume. At the time, I conceded that the beauty from KwaMashu, Durban, was happening. Mind you, we were still finding our way around our respective careers. She was already a glam girl, natty dresser who looked like she’d just stepped out of the pages of a glossy magazine.
Courage in hand, Debs went solo in 2000. If people thought she had an amazing voice, they were not prepared for things to come as the powerhouse dropped her block-buster debut offering, Abanye Bazomboma, which achieved multi-platinum status and won her awards. It sold in excess of a million units. All her 14 albums have surpassed expectations in the marketplace.
No wonder the Empress’ melodic, multi-ranged voice graced many local and international albums. Her sultry voice was well-oiled instrument she knew how to play with, much to the delight of her forever electrified audiences and fan-base. Incredibly versatile, she effortlessly straddled genres like jazz, Afropop, maskandi, reggae and pop, with as much ease as she mastered gospel. Her message-laden songs remain on high rotation.
A loving, loyal friend who never minced her words when she needed to call one to order or dish advice. We chatted for hours, travelled together, laughed a lot at her jokes. God forbid, she would catch you indisposed. I loved watching her create masterpieces in the kitchen. A generous and hospitable person.
She was a keeper as far as friends go. Whenever we went out, I knew I was going to have a great time. We’ve comforted each other through our losses, now she’s gone. I love and will miss her royally.
Debs may be gone but she’s made her mark. Over the years, she had grown spiritually, maternally, career-wise, a community builder and businesswise. She’s put so many kids through school, given them a home. She’s one of the artists that helped fellow entertainers during the pandemic.
She rolled her sleeves and went to work as a farmer, travelled the world as the UN Goodwill Ambassador for wet lands and even ventured into acting on SABC1’s Hola Mpintshi.
A highlight was when she was conferred with a doctorate last year, while she was still alive to know that people appreciate her contribution.
She set a good example by looking after her family once she hit the big time. Debs educated her siblings’ children, spoiled her parents and loved her four surviving sisters with everything she had. She was devastated when one of them died two years ago. She adored her children. They were so close my heart breaks for them.
An emotional Rebecca Malope was lost for words: “When I heard of Deborah’s passing, I was shocked. I still am. I don’t even have words to console the family because I’m also broken. We are all going to die someday, but this was totally unexpected. The more you think about it, the more saddening it gets. Deborah and I worked together for a long time while she was still a session artist,’’ she says, explaining that their relationship goes back to her debut offering, Ngizobathola.
“Sizwe Zako and I have composed a song we sang at the memorial and the funeral. Perhaps it will help explain our pain,” Malope adds, emphasising the need for artists to look after each other.
Yvonne Chaka Chaka, who also worked with Fraser for a long time, was grief stricken. ‘’Deborah was a friend and a sister, so you can imagine how I’m feeling. I knew she was sick but I never saw this coming. She used to be my backing singer. Telling jokes and laughing heartily was her thing. I remember the time she called me to confirm time for the show. She referred to me by a silly name we called each other. Only this time around my mother was the one who picked up the phone. All hell broke loose and for a while she couldn’t visit me at home.
“When I checked on her, she was chirpy, assuring me she was getting better. She asked me to thank Nontando and Busi from her record company, for looking after her while she was in hospital previously. I jokingly asked if she was dying, why these messages.
Once again, she said she was fine. In the 80s after a show, we saw everybody drinking wine. We got ourselves a mellow drink usually mixed with milk. We were so sick, it cured us of the urge to drink. May her soul rest in peace,” Chaka Chaka mourned.
Debs comes from a family of nine brothers and sisters. Except for two surviving sisters, all of them are gone. She hadn’t recovered from her sister’s recent passing and now! She’s survived by two children, her son Nkosana, and daughter, Aliya. May her soul rest in eternal peace.
“We are saddened by the untimely passing of Dr Deborah Fraser, which comes as a huge loss to both the global gospel music community, South African culture and our domestic music industry. We extend our heartfelt condolences to the family, friends and fans of this hugely talented musician. May they be comforted in this most difficult hour of grief and loss. We have also lost a dedicated and diligent artist who always put her fans and God first in all she did. She respected her craft and valued the role she played in spreading the Gospel. We are now left with her gift of music to draw comfort and strength from. Rest in peace Dr Fraser, you will never be forgotten.” – Sipho Dlamini, CEO of Universal Music Group Sub Saharan Africa
