‘Idols’ star’s death still a mystery

Former Idols SA finalist Thami Shobede was suffering from depression when he collapsed while performing on stage about a week ago.

Shobede, 31, died at Kalafong Hospital in Atteridgeville, Pretoria, on Thursday.

His mother, Mantombi Buthelezi, told the Sunday Times he had been admitted to hospital for observation last Friday because he was feeling weak. She did not know what caused his death.

“The doctor told us he was suffering from depression. I wasn’t really surprised but I didn’t think it would lead to this.

“On Monday he was fine … but on Thursday he gave in,” Buthelezi said.

She said her son had been the breadwinner in the family and the pressure had got too much.

“He wasn’t a talkative child, so it was hard to tell where he was emotionally. Lately he closed himself in his room for hours.

“I wish he had spoken to us as his family, I wish I could comfort him. Not so long ago he sent me a message, telling me he will make me proud even though things aren’t going great. He wanted me to trust him and I did.”

Buthelezi said Shobede had recently moved her and his siblings into his apartment in Marshalltown, Johannesburg.

“I’m unemployed. He didn’t want me to pay rent in Benoni while he was also renting. And he was helping with the school fees of his siblings.

“My poor first-born, he became a father, a provider for all of us. I am a single parent and he felt for me.”

She said his income had been from performing, but that during winter he was not getting gigs and “he started getting sad and frustrated”.