{Papy Safa John’s melodious voice flickered out when he succumbed to diabetes this week at CHUK. He was 49. As he was interred yesterday, an aura of sadness clouded about, with mourners held in deep grief for the star that bowed out in the middle of his life. His wife, Uzamushaka Maderena, with a creasing face and painful emotions, asked for forgiveness, on behalf of the family, for any faults that her husband may have done while alive.}
Pappy has been popular for his song “Umutima Ukunda.” At his funeral, fellow artistes recalled his humility and polished character and refined morality.
‘We will consolidate his achievements’
Papy Safa John got married to Uzamushaka in 1995. They begot three children. The family pledged to consolidate their father’s achievements.
Eric Mucyo who was in the same band with Papy, said the deceased was a humble man. “Even his fans would see and love his peacefulness,” he said.
“He was a peaceful man who loved her mum with a passion. When he visited us, he would offload his fatigue of at Lake Kivu shores, reading books ,” said one of his sisters.
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Who is Papy Safa John}}
Papy Safa John was born in 1966 in Nyamyumba sector, Rubavu district where he did his primary. In 1978, he went to Belgium to study hotel management.
He returned to Rwanda in 1984 and worked in various hotels including Hôtel des Milles Collines and Hotel Diplomate among others.
From 1984 to 1990, Pappy played piano in “Les Huit Anges.” In 1990 he headed for Kisangani where he continued his music career.
On return to Rwanda in 1993, he spent a short time living with his family in Gisenyi before going to Kigali where he resumed his music career and working in hotels.
In 1994, Pappy and his relatives fled to DRC to return in the country after the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. In 1995 Pappy married Uzamushaka Madeleine and they were blessed with three children.
In 2000 Pappy released his first album called ‘Umutima Ucyeye’ that included many songs of which he became a popular loved artist.
In 2003 Pappy Safa John represented Rwanda in Festival the festival ofPanafricain de la Musique (FESPAM).
Pappy released his second album in the year 2010 .In 2014 he announced the suspension of his music career which he resumed in July 2015
He dies being a popular artist of original songs in famous bars and hotels .
His burial was attended by various artists including Makanyaga Abdul, Ngarambe François Xavier , Eric Mucyo, MC Lion Imanzi, MC Monday, Patrick Gihana, Aimable Twahirwa and other underground artists.
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