World mourns N!xau
2003-07-04 22:09
Gert Coetzee
Bloemfontein - The world is mourning the death of N!xau, southern Africa's shy Khoisan (Bushman).
International news agencies contacted Volksblad in Bloemfontein to try and find out more about his life. It's estimated that N!xau was about 59.
Media 24's newspapers were the first to publish news of his death.
N!xau, the star of the block-buster The Gods must be Crazy and the sequel, will be buried on July 12 in a tiny cemetery of his people at Tsumkwe in northern Namibia, where they live in the veld. He was found dead after going to look for wood.
His body will be placed in a wooden coffin in a grave next to his oldest son's grave. According to their tradition, branches, and not wreaths, will be placed on the grave.
Mireschen Troskie-Marx of Mimosa Films says according to his tradition, N!xau should have been buried already, but because he was such a great ambassador for Namibia, the funeral has been postponed.
Gods III
Numerous international reporters have indicated that they want to cover the funeral and representatives of Mimosa Film will also attend.
N!xau died before he could appear in Gods 111 which is already in the planning stages.
No injuries were apparent when N!xau's body was found. Troskie-Marx says no other information about his death is available. It's not clear if a post-mortem was done.
Great interest has also been shown in the money N!xau earned as a film star.
Troskie-Marx says Jamie Uys, who died years ago and who introduced N!xau to the world, concluded a contract with N!xau. According to the contract, N!xau received a monthly salary. Actors are usually paid once off.
"We really tried to look after him. It's not known what he did with his money."
N!xau sold the house built for him in Tsumkwe for several heads of cattle and returned to his beloved veld with his entire family. He used to disappear for two months at a time, without knowing that he had adoring fans all over the world, watching his actions on the big screen.
An expensive Rolex watch and radios he received in Japan during a promotional tour, were later found lying in the veld, because he didn't attach any value to them.
Troskie-Marx says: "We will remember him for his charisma, the way he cared and looked after his family members and watching out for others.
Animal skins
Reports years ago before he left on his first overseas promotional tours, say clothes for N!xau had to be bought in children's shops because of his small body. He particularly fancied a tweed jacket and stylish black pants, but took his clothes made from animal skins with.
Before he left for Japan, he said through his interpreter, Frans, that his heart was racing in his chest.
He didn't worry much about the hoopla surrounding his visit to Japan. He said: "I don't think about it. I came to work."
The Japanese loved this tiny star from Africa and couldn't see and talk enough about his short khaki pants, shy smile and language. He sat in a wooden bath with a Japanese writer at one time.
At a Japanese tea ceremony he wore a kimono and was a true gentleman, but he insisted on wearing his underpants.
The BBC's world service had an interview with a Volksblad reporter and CNN and other news networks also carried reports. Mimosa Films say they were inundated with calls.
- Volksblad