Mourners at the funeral of the deceased choral music composer and conductor, Mr Shalati Joseph Khosa, hailed him as one of the most productive South African composers ever.

Khosa (77) died at Phalaborwa MediClinic on 3 July and was buried at Mabayeni cemetery in Malamulele on Saturday. The funeral service was characterised by the playing of his music.

Prof George Mugovhani, a lecturer in music research at the Tshwane University of Technology, told mourners that Khosa had composed the highest number of musical pieces of any composer in South Africa. “As a music researcher, I have not come across anybody with such a variety of pieces as SJ,” he said.

“Each musical piece had its own theme and he was a keen watcher of nature,” said Mugovhani.

Businessman Reuel Khoza said that Khosa was his “father by choice” and mentioned that they had met in 1965 and he was hooked on the man because of his love for music.

Khosa’s daughter, Happy, the wife of Bishop Elijah Mtileni of Bethesda Church in Malamulele, said her father had lived for music and that was why family members could sing some of his compositions in the service without even rehearsing them.

Other speakers included former Limpopo MEC for sports arts and culture Joyce Mashamba, Mzwandile Methews, chairman of the South African Choral Music Association, and Capson Kabi, a former Police Choral Music Association chairman. “He walked with rhythm and was always happy,” said Kabi.

One of the features of the funeral was a rendition of one Khosa’s compositions by the Malamulele Evangelical Presbyterian Church Choir, led by Peter Mageza and the Greater Phalaborwa SAPS cluster choir.