Fassie's son finds a mentor
2004-06-06 09:14
Johannesburg - His famous mother may be dead, but Bongani Fassie has found a good Samaritan willing to adopt him and take him overseas to study music.
London-based Chris Bolton, a close friend of the late pop diva Brenda Fassie, said Bongani had asked him to take care of him and he was more than willing to assist the young man.
"If Bongani asks me to be his dad I can't say no to him, considering the relationship I have always had with his family for all these years. I am planning to bring him to London for three weeks so that he can have a break because he has been traumatised and under a lot of pressure because of all the reports that have been written about his mother," Bolton said in a trans-Atlantic call.
A former manager of Zimbabwean musician Thomas Mapfumo, Bolton said once Bongani reaches London, a private tutor will be organised for him so that he can improve his entry level to university.
"I want to help him to finish his tertiary studies in music," he said.
Bolton, who was one of the pallbearers at Fassie's funeral, said he spoke to the Fassie family about Bongani's future. He said he was aware of Bongani's mother's wish to see him obtaining a degree in music.
But Bolton would not be the one to decide for Bongani - he will have to decide for himself whether he wants to study in SA, the US or in England.
"I don't want to decide for him," he said.
Bongani could not be reached for comment and the family indicated that he has been kept away from the media.
He is scheduled to perform for the first time after his mother's death when he shares the stage on June 15 with the internationally renowned songstress, Judy Boucher from the United Kingdom, in a show titled South Africa Comes Alive Music Spectacular at Carnival City's Big Top arena on the East Rand.
He will perform a tribute to his mom called Brenda's Last Song.
The show also features Oliver Mtukudzi, Selaelo Selota, who has just returned from a successful US tour, and Ishmael, who will perform the 2010 Bid Song.
The show will also be staged at His People Ministry in Cape Town on June 18.