Maskandi Star Inkosi Yamagcokama's Fans Weep as Hearse Carrying His Body Passes, SA Emotional

• Maskandi singer Inkosi Yamagcokama was laid to rest on Sunday, 17 August 2026, in Msinga, KwaZulu-Natal
• The singer and crew member Gumu 'Gupta' Mchunu died in a crash on John Ross Highway on 9 August 2026
• Bystanders filming the funeral procession on their phones drew sharp criticism from mourners online

A funeral procession for beloved maskandi singer Inkosi Yamagcokama drew both tears and controversy on Sunday, 17 August 2026, after footage of bystanders filming the event circulated widely on Instagram, igniting a heated debate about phone culture at funerals.

The procession, held in Msinga, KwaZulu-Natal, featured a customised glass-sided hearse, a black SUV bearing a memorial decal with the singer's photo, and a white funeral van adorned with South African flag livery. A video captured the solemn occasion from above, while bystanders lined the streets, many with phones raised.

The crash that claimed Inkosi Yamagcokama

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The singer died on 9 August 2026 after a motor vehicle accident on the John Ross Highway. He was travelling to a performance in Richards Bay with three crew members when the crash occurred. Crew member Gumu 'Gupta' Mchunu also lost his life in the tragedy, leaving fans and the maskandi community devastated.

The footage, posted by @maphepha_ndaba_paparazzi and watermarked by @gezani_media_productions, quickly spread across social media. While some shared it as a tribute, others took issue with people filming during such a sacred moment.

Mzansi slams internet culture

The pushback reflects a tension that has grown louder at public funerals in South Africa, where the instinct to document and share clashes with traditional expectations of respect and mourning. For many fans, however, the procession video also served as a final farewell to a much-loved artist whose music resonated deeply across KwaZulu-Natal.

Reactions poured in from across Mzansi:

@mandisiel wrote: "I hate the social media era so much"

@thabomoloi_ simply responded: "😭😭😭"

@princess\_simphiwe questioned the behaviour, asking: "This phone culture, I hate it! Why are we recording people crying?"

@anelisiwe\_tshangana expressed grief: "Oh my, our hearts are heavy 💔"

@zamo\_zungu brought cultural context to the conversation: "Growing up, we used to respect herses; now people just do whatever."

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@nikilita\_b directed her frustration at those filming, asking: "To the bystanders.. I'd like to know what are you gonna do with the content of someone's funeral? I'm mind blown"

@miss\_leekay\_ offered a quieter tribute: "😢😢😢🕊️🕊️"

Natasha pays tribute

In a previous report from Briefly News, actress Natasha Thahane reacted to footage of Scebi Dlamini's wife's emotional farewell speech at his funeral in Msinga, KwaZulu-Natal.

Scebi's wife revealed in her message that her late husband was her only support system, having grown up without parents.

Source: Briefly News