The South African arts fraternity and art lovers around the world have been plunged into deep mourning, following the tragic death of a well-known artist of international fame, Stanley “Macoloured” Makhado. He was killed in a freak accident last Wednesday.

Makhado (58) of Tshakhuma met his tragic end when, while he was cutting wood to carve, a tree fell on him and he suffered fatal injuries.

It is alleged that Makhado had bought the entire woodland at Tshakhuma cemetery for his artwork and had already cut most of the trees there. On the day of the incident, he was busy cutting trees when somebody asked him to cut a branch that threatened to damage a very expensive tombstone at the cemetery. During this time, after he had already cut the branch, the loader which was picking it up lost its grip and it headed straight towards him.

In an effort to run away from the branch, he slipped and fell with the back of his head on a rock. The branch then fell on him. Those who witnessed the incident allege that the impact of the branch was not severe and it seemed that he had died from the head wound he suffered during his fall. An ambulance was summoned, but he was pronounced dead shortly afterwards.

His brother, well-known educator and radio drama actor Ndivhudzannyi Makhado, described his death as a blow to the family and the community at large. “We are devastated. He was everything to us as a family and had made our name famous worldwide. It is just unfortunate that he laboured for so many years without financial rewards. Just when things were starting to shape up, he was taken,” he said. He said his brother’s works made all people happy, as he was a master painter, sculptor and a carpenter of note.

He added that the family was still shocked and traumatized by the incident, but were consoled by the massive support from the community. “When word spread about his death, we received many messages from around the country and even from abroad. This has been of some solace to us as a family, and we feel that we are not alone in our time of grief,” he said.

Mr Freddy Mulovhedzi, uncle of the deceased, was overwhelmed with grief and was close to tears. “This is the will of God. We do not have to question God’s will. It was his time and we accept that it had to happen that way,” he said.

Mulovhedzi urged all relatives to be united and to stop gossiping about Makhado. “We have accepted his death and we are all witnesses to that effect. We would not like to have a situation whereby people tell us lies, saying he was seen at such and such a place,” he said. He urged Stanley’s children to follow his example in order to keep his legacy alive.

One of Makhado’s long time friends, Billy Makungo, a well-known businessperson who owns a furniture-manufacturing business at Vondwe near Matatshe, said Makhado’s death was a big blow to him and the art world in general. “The man was everything to us. He was a humble man who let his works do the talking. Nothing was impossible with him and he was able to design some of the most fascinating furniture that you will never find at shops. We will miss his unique form of art,” he said. Makungo said Makhado was always there to give advice if asked to do so. “We have lost a man of good character who cared for the people,” he said.

Levubu police spokesperson Insp Ntshengedzeni Makondelele confirmed the incident and said that an inquest docket had been opened. He said a post mortem would determine the exact cause of death.