By Given Jama

The 13th Metro FM Awards media room will be dedicated in honor of now late photographer Alex Mkhize.

Metro FM’s Public Relations Head, Happy Ngidi, told the attendants of Mkhize’s memorial service at Stables Theatre yesterday that upon their entry at the media room in the Durban ICC, Alex will be there.

“You will see Alex’s big picture with his smile and big eyes,” said Ngidi to great applause.

Ngidi also said that due of how Mkhize respected Metro FM’s events as much as he respected his work, he was guaranteed a media pass to attend the Metro FM Awards tomorrow.

“However that is not going to be. In fact Mkhize will be attending an even bigger event on the day.”

Mkhize’s memorial service was filled with great celebration as various local gospel musicians sang to greatly comfort those present. There was also great humour as speaker after speaker took to the podium relating stories in memory of Mkhize.

The service programme director, Sgu Shangase, of eTV KZN, opened by saying that “there is no way you could meet Mkhize with trouble and still leave with them, unless you had brought them”.

A slide-show of Mkhize’s photographs was played with a jazz tune in the background to remind those in attendance of his legendary work. Monwabisi Grootboom described him as a friend to them. He said that the only time one felt that the media is present at the event was only after Mkhize’s arrival.

“The idea of thinking of him in the past still breaks our hearts,” said Grootboom.

Thulani Hlophe who was speaking on behalf of businessman, Themba Njilo, said that in as much as journalists disseminate information to the public, they must also learn from life because that is exactly what made Mkhize such a man of note.

“The industry has lost so much considering that elections are approaching and Alex knew very well how to put together the story,” said Hlophe.

Members of the Mkhize family listening to speakers at the funeral. Pictures by: Given Jama

Zowakha Mbatha of Ilanga Newspaper said, “ Had this been my memorial service, Alex would have taken a picture and went back to Ps Dube to tell him what I did where we tjukutjad ourselves. He would tell the story in an exaggerated manner though.”

Bheka Mkhize, Alex’s younger brother broke down in the middle of a song he had started before speaking. He told those in attendance that he (Mkhize) was a good brother who scolded them when they went wrong yet would never abandon them.

Thobile Nxumalo, KZN Daily Sun editor said that the passing of Mkhize made this past week hard for them.

In his sermon Pastor Vusi Dube of eThekwini Christian Centre called Mkhize his friend. He said that he does “not mind what journalists write in the newspaper as long as his photograph is there.”

Mkhize died of kidney failure last Saturday at City Hospital. He is survived by his wife, Ntombi and their two sons. He will be laid to rest on Saturday.