MBEKI: 'WE WANTED BRENDA TO LIVE TO HER 80S'

Nine people were injured at Brenda Fassie's funeral at the Langa stadium in
Cape Town on Saturday when fans surged into the VIP area where Fassie's
body lay in a gold-coloured coffin.

Three had to be taken to hospital and the remaining six fans were treated
at the scene.

Order was restored after repeated pleas from organisers that fans respect
the family after her coffin was surrounded.

"All of us loved Brenda and her music, which is why we are here in our
thousands," Mbeki told crowd of about 10 000.

Fassie, known as "Madonna of the Townships" died on May 9 at Sunninghill
Hospital, two weeks after an asthma attack caused cardiac arrest and left
her in a coma. She was 39.

Mbeki spoke of Fassie's known drug addiction and said it was a problem that
needed to be addressed in the artistic community.

"We wanted Brenda to live to her 80s. We need to ensure that we save our
artists from those problems," he said.

He said that South Africans had a responsibility to help people who battled
drug addiction.

"We know the problems our artists face. We know that there are drugs here
in schools in Cape Town. We have to fight this problem."

Earlier in the day as the crowd milled around waiting for the funeral to
start people danced and recalled Fassie's life.

"I remember I was about 16 when she become big. I used to come home after
school on Friday and stand at my front door -- down the road at the hall
they were playing her music. My mother was very strict but all I wanted to
do was dance to Brenda's music," said Nomthandazo Kama (40).

Kama said that although Fassie was controversial people should not judge
her harshly.

"We are all human beings we should not judge her. I appreciate Brenda and
her music. She is a big loss for us. She was somebody special... she was so
open," Kama said.

Fassie's cousin Feziwe Alberts said she was very proud of the singer.

"I am very sorry for what has happened but I am very proud of her. Let's
enjoy ourselves like she did," said Feziwe, who said she and Fassie shared
a grandmother.

During the service Fassie's sister Caroline Fassie told mourners that her
sister had started on the road to stardom when she was two-years-old.

"She captured the hearts of many. Her mother was often heard saying 'she is
going to be just like Elizabeth Taylor'." - Sapa