Scandal! Actor Sandy Mokwena’s tombstone cost R100,000

Shortly after Sandy Mokwena’s death, a tombstone was unveiled. This was as a symbol of the contribution he had done to the community. According to its creators, it cost R100,000.

Compared to other elaborate tombstones such as Joe Mafela’s, Sandy Mokwena’s is quite simple.

A large granite slab rises from the ground to meet a oval tombstone with the actor’s face on it. The granite slab bears two massive initials and the oval stone is surrounded by three pillars holding up a banner bearing his surname. A sotho clan praise poem is also engraved on the stone.

The tombstone’s creator Nthato Nkwabi of Khaabo Tombstones said it was built and assembled in two days‚ and reflected the way Sandy’s family wanted to remember the acting giant.

“The pillars are because his family told us that he was a pillar of the community. They said they wanted the letters on the stone and we enlarged them because his impact was large on those he met. For us‚ it wasn’t about celebrating him as a celebrity but rather as a man. We wanted to show what he meant to those around him.”

He said that such an elaborate structure would cost around R100‚000 to build. He however refused to divulge any more information on how much Mokwena’s family had paid to have it made.

“Everything about the tombstone is expensive. There is a lot of detail and we had a very short time frame to work with‚” he added.