South African rapper Lehlogonolo Katlego Chauke, known to fans as Shebeshxt, has shared the profound pain he faces following the tragic loss of his daughter, Onthatile.
The young girl’s life was cut short in June 2024 due to a devastating car accident on the R37 near Smelters Mine, south of Polokwane.
The harrowing crash involved Shebeshxt’s Volkswagen Polo colliding head-on with a heavy motor vehicle, resulting in Onthatile’s death at the scene.
Family spokesperson James Magoro confirmed that Shebeshxt was initially treated at the Polokwane Provincial Hospital before being moved to the private Netcare Pholoso Hospital, thanks to assistance from Julius Malema, leader of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF).
‘Eternal pain’
During a recent interview on the “E4 Podcast”, the Limpopo-born star opened up about the “eternal pain” of losing someone he had brought into the world.
Despite returning to work shortly after regaining his strength, the emotional weight of his daughter’s passing continues to linger heavily in his heart.
“My heart is broken. If I focus on just being heartbroken, I will go hungry. Sometimes you have to be strong,” he remarked.
Struggling to navigate his grief, Shebeshxt touchingly noted, “You can never recover because every day as you live, every second, the pain does not go down.”
He highlighted that even in the act of eating or engaging in daily activities, reminders of his daughter flood back, intensifying his grief.
In a personal tribute, Shebeshxt shared on social media about the daily battles he faces without his daughter. His touching posts reveal a man trying to be resilient as he grapples with heartache.
“The pain of losing my daughter, neh? I try to be strong, but every night I go to bed crying. I will live with this pain forever,” he confessed in a message that has touched many hearts across social platforms.
Despite the heavy emotional weight, Shebeshxt is determined to channel his grief into creativity.
He recently announced new music on the horizon, including a much-anticipated song titled “Tlala”, a collaboration with artists Naqua SA, Makhadzi and Mr Diego, marking an important step in his personal healing journey.
If, just like Shebeshxt, you are currently dealing with grief, here are some strategies to cope more healthily:
Express your feelings
Talk about your loss with supportive friends or family. Writing in a journal can also help articulate feelings that might be too painful to verbalise.
Seek professional support
Therapists specialising in grief can provide invaluable guidance, helping individuals process their emotions.
Engage in grieving rituals
Funerals, memorials, or personal rituals can offer a space to honour the memory of the loved one and facilitate closure.
Establish a routine
Creating a daily schedule can help create a sense of normalcy, which in turn can aid in managing the chaos that often accompanies grief.
Connect with nature
Spending time outdoors can be grounding, allowing for reflection and solace amid life’s pressures.
