LATE actor Seputla Sebogodi never stopped fighting for South Africa’s creative industry.
According to member of Parliament (MP) Donald Selamolela, that passion remained strong until their final conversation.
Speaking about the late actor’s legacy, Selamolela revealed that one of their last discussions centred on the future of the country’s arts sector and the challenges facing local performers.
He said Seputla was deeply concerned about the direction of the industry and wanted artists to play a bigger role in shaping South Africa’s future.
“We had a long discussion about the development of the arts industry. Every time we spoke, he wanted to talk about how we could protect artists and strengthen the sector,” Selamolela said.
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The pair planned to meet after Seputla returned from the National Arts Festival in Makhanda, Eastern Cape to continue the conversation, but the meeting never happened.
Selamolela also used the opportunity to slam the growing culture of unverified social media posts, saying misleading reports about Seputla’s health caused confusion and unnecessary panic.
He said alarming online posts did not match the positive conversation he recently shared with the legendary actor.
Selamolela recalled that Seputla’s wife, Rosina, later reassured him that the actor had returned from hospital, was recovering and wanted to see him.
However, news of Seputla’s death began circulating on Facebook before they could arrange the visit.
It is becoming fashionable for people to rush to break news before families have verified it or informed loved ones. We need to be more responsible.
Beyond his legendary television career, Selamolela described Seputla as a patriot who believed artists should do more than entertain.
He said the actor encouraged creatives to unite, support one another and work with government to tackle poverty, unemployment and inequality while preserving South Africa’s cultural heritage.
Selamolela believes there is only one way to honour Seputla’s legacy: By protecting artists and ensuring the creative industry receives the recognition and support it deserves.
“He always wanted artists to stand together and make the arts central to the country’s development. That is the legacy we must continue,” Selamolela said.
