An immeasurable loss has been suffered by the family and friends of Elias Mlimose Mhlahlo, affectionately known as Sampi/Simple.He was known in Virginia, and the Goldfields and passed away on 13 February in the Bloemfontein MediClinic.
The news of his untimely passing came as a shock to those who knew him as he had been admitted to hospital for a minor procedure.
Bra Simple was born in Virginia on 25 January 1955, and is the seventh child, following two sets of twins, to Mohau Sobelela and Misiwe Mhlahlo.
He was married to Khantse (Nomzi) Mhlahlo and they have two children Siphiwe (Mmeme) and Sibongo (Bongi).
Bra Simple attended the Tikwe Primary School in Meloding, and Lebohang Secondary School in Welkom.
He then proceeded to Mampoi Secondary School in Qwaqwa, where he completed high school.
He obtained a Business Management qualification from Wits Business School.
Simple was exposed to running a business from an early age as he worked with his parents at their family business, Mafumana-Tsohle General Dealer in Meloding.
After his parents’ passing, he worked for Harmony Gold Mine, Virginia Post Office, and Orange Pharmacy.
His business acumen prompted him to leave the formal employment sector and return to running his parents’ businesses.
Through Mafuna-Tsohle, he was able to venture into the taxi business while also operating Simple’s Dry Cleaners, Simple’s Take Aways, Simple’s Bottle Store, and Simple’s Butchery.
Along with Pasieljost Savings group, later Mafube Social Club, and T Music-Man, he hosted several successful Jazz festivals at Tikwe Lodge, drawing multitudes of music lovers to Virginia.
Peter Tladi, founder of T Music Man, reacted with shock at the news of his passing and said his death is a great loss to the Meloding, Virginia, and Free State community.
“Bra Simple was a lifelong community activist, a gentle giant, and a humble leader with outstanding capabilities,” said Tladi adding that Simple was venturesome and his visionary leadership was unparalleled.
Dosto Noge, who was a master of ceremony during Tikwe Jazz Festivals, said Bra Simple took a bold step to bring the jazz by the river concept to Virginia.
“It was a good initiative, but it never received enough support resulting in its demise. This affected the local tourism and growth of the emerging local artists. Had it been well supported, Virginia and Matjhabeng would still be renowned for hosting the internationally recognised festival, and possibly Tikwe Lodge would still be operational,” he said.
Bra Simple had a passion for business. As the board chairperson of the Virginia Business Council, he made meaningful contributions in the mentoring of young emerging business people.
Politically, he was a member of the African National Congress through and through, and served as a Ward 5 committee member.
The family decided that he should retire from the business world after he was shot in an attempt to take his life.
His family say Bra Simple spent his retirement days creating many wonderful memories with them and they are forever grateful to the Almighty God for his well-lived life.
He will be buried on Saturday, 17 February, at the Methodist Church in Meloding Virginia.
The funeral service starts at 8:00 before proceeding to his final resting place at the old Meloding cemetery at 10:30. – Khojane Matutle
