His funeral in Molepolole on Saturday attracted high profile personalities, politicians , musicians, businesspeople, his many fans, as well as scores of ordinary Batswana who converged to pay the celebrated musician their last respects.The vehicle models that lined the dusty road leading towards his humble home Borakanelo ward ranged from the Toyota Corrolla sedans to Range Rover SUVs, testimony that the legendary artist was loved by many, across generations and classes.
Among the huge crowd was legislator Gaotlhaetse Matlhabaphiri, Bakwena leader Kgosi Kgari, events promoter Zenzele Hirschfield, veteran musicians, Taolo Moshaga, Alfredo Mosimanegape, Socca Moruakgomo, Masilonyana Radinoga, Phempheretlhe Pheto and Banjo Mosele.The young urban influenced players included Vee, Vomit, T.H.A.B.O., Mosako and Kast among others.While the news of his death was a real emotional shock, his send-off was less emotional and a somewhat "cold" affair.As a music man one would have expected the crowd which had a large contingent of musicians to be vibrating with song but sadly, the hymns lacked zeal.But as an exceptional musician, something special was bound to happen at the departed star's funeral. It is only at a funeral of a man with a high cultural inclination that people would go against the norm of singing a soft hymn while the coffin is lowered into the grave.At Stampore's funeral Kaone Mahuma recited a poem, leading the pallbearers towards the musician's final resting place.Perhaps that could be identified as the only enlightening moment signalling the celebration of Stampore's life rather than the mourning of his passing.
