Shockwaves are reverberating across Yorùbáland and the global Yorùbá diaspora following the sudden death of the Baba Ọba (King’s Father) of the famed Oyotunji African Village in South Carolina, USA. The late Baba Ọba, Lukman Arohunfale, a revered socialite and traditionalist, passed away under circumstances already sparking fierce controversy. His death comes just days after he publicly accused the newly installed Alaafin of Oyo, His Imperial Majesty Oba Akeem Adéyẹmọ Owoade, of allegedly ordering his courtiers to beat him mercilessly during a recent courtesy visit to the Oyo palace in Nigeria. In a widely circulated voice recording, the deceased recounted how what was meant to be a simple homage turned violent. Although the Baba Ọba had reportedly battled ill health in the past year, growing insinuations suggest that the alleged physical assault may have aggravated his condition, ultimately leading to his untimely death. The palace in Oyo recently denied that s...
There was a mild drama at the memorial service of Lebogang Khitsane, a South African tombstone maker, after Semati Moedi, the deceased’s sister, accused his wife of cheating on him before his death. Khitsane reportedly died of renal failure on Thursday. The deceased is known for his amazing collections of tombstone designs on prominent figures including Nelson Mandela, the country’s late president, and anti-apartheid hero. Following his demise, a memorial service was held in his honor on Sunday. The televised service was going according to plan until it was Moedi’s turn to pay tribute to her late brother. In her remark, she accused Khitsane’s wife of infidelity, claiming she brought other men into their bedroom while the deceased was battling the illness that eventually killed him. “Khitsane was in pain…his wife brought her men into their house,” she could be heard saying. Moedi had barely spoken for long when her brother’s wife, apparently rankled by the allegations, threw water bottles at her after which she headed to the podium. She, thereafter, attempted to wrestle the microphone from Moedi to prevent her from speaking further. The duo’s theatrics had forced the ceremony to a halt, with the two women challenging themselves for a further fight. It is believed that Khitsane will be buried on Tuesday morning.