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It was a dark weekend for two nations as two personalities of Zimbabwean origin based in South Africa died. SABC “Top Billing” presenter Simba Mhere died in a car accident in Johannesburg early on Saturday morning while businessman and music promoter Prosper Mkwaiwa died in Ekangala en route to seek medical treatment after complaining of a fever.

According to Drum, a memorial service will be held for Simba on Thursday at 3 pm. His funeral will be on Saturday morning at Rhema, Randburg. Simba will be laid to rest at Westpark cemetery

Twitter and Facebook came alive with tributes to Simba pouring in from various people including fellow SA-based Zimbabwean TV presenter Yvonne Katsande who testified that Simba was a born again Christian.

SABC issued a statement on Saturday saying, “He (Simba) will be remembered mostly by his ability to captivate “Top Billing” audiences by his powerful voice, liveliness and an unforgettable infectious smile.

“He has shown great commitment and performed his duties diligently as expected of him with so much zeal.”

Johannesburg Metro Police spokeswoman superintendent Edna Mamonyane said the accident happened along William Nicol Drive after 5am.

“A VW Polo that had got off the N1 in Fourways, crossed over the middle island and crashed into Simba’s side,” she said.

“Simba was driving and the strong impact killed Simba and a passenger seated in the front seat.”

Mhere and one passenger died on the scene. A third passenger, believed to be Mhere’s father, and the Polo driver were taken to hospital.

Mamonyane said: “The Polo driver will be charged with culpable homicide and reckless and negligent driving. Metro police officers said they could not see any visible injuries or bleeding on the Polo driver at the hospital.”

Mhere became presenter of “Top Billing” on SABC 3 after winning a presenter search in 2010. Kganyago said he beat thousands of people to win the contest.

“Mhere came victorious out of thousands of entries of young people who entered the competition countrywide.

“He has since won the hearts of the old and young people alike.”

The University of Johannesburg on Saturday sent their condolences to Mhere’s family.

“It is with heartfelt regret that we learned about the passing of Simba Mhere,” head of the UJ Alumni Network Nandi Madadasana said in a statement.

“He was an inspirational young talent that captured the hearts of many.”

Mhere studied toward a Bcom accounting degree at the university and became one of UJ’s Alumni Network Goodwill Ambassadors.

While Simba Mhere’s life reads like that of a typical good boy, Prosper Mkwaiwa’s memory is riddled with controversy.

Perhaps top on the pysche of most is that he was once involved with Kelly Khumalo, who later on got involved with married footballer Senzo Meyiwa leading to his murder in her house.

The Zimbabwean was first introduced to the South African masses when he married actress Tina Jaxa in 2000 in an extravagant wedding.

The couple soon became tabloid fodder with their many fights and their habit of airing their dirty laundry in public.

They went their separate ways after two children, child support drama and a protracted divorce.

Mkwaiwa then “poached” singer Kelly “The Virgin” Khumalo from her management and became her new manager, business partner in ProKelly Entertainment and later fiancé.

That relationship also bit the dust in a public and messy way. Mkwaiwa married his current wife, singer Tina Dlangwana, in 2010.

In 2012, they were shot at in their hotel room at Morula Sun in Mabopane by an intruder they claimed had followed Dlangwana into the room and tried to force them to have sex in front of him. Some time after the incident, Dlangwana accused Mkwaiwa of being behind the shooting, which he denied.

The two later reconciled. He is survived by his two children with Tina Jaxa. – The Sowetan/The Herald Entertainment