Farewell, King Majuto, fare thee well…

Dar es Salaam. Former President Jakaya Kikwete led thousands of mourners to lay to rest one of the country’s most popular comedians, Mr Amri Athumani.

Famously known as King Majuto, Mr Athumani died at the Muhimbili National Hospital in Dar es Salaam on Wednesday evening.

King Majuto was referred to India in May for specialised treatment but returned to the country at the end of June after his condition worsened.

He was admitted at the MNH at the end of July.

King Majuto – whose body arrived in Tanga on Friday evening – was laid to rest at Kiriku Village.

Tanga Regional Commissioner Martine Shigela, politicians, actors and musicians attended the burial

The burial ceremony started at around 11.45am at Ndonge, his home village. Tanga chief sheikh Juma Luwuchu led the prayers at the Narugud mosque.

Mourners wept uncontrollably as they paid their last respects to King Majuto.

On Friday, President John Magufuli led hundreds of mourners in paying their last respects to the veteran comedian at the Karimjee grounds in Dar es Salaam.

Information, Culture, Arts and Sports deputy minister Juliana Shonza said the ministry had “lost a great partner” who helped lift up the entertainment industry.

“The ministry has lost a great partner, and the void will be hard to fill,” she was quoted as saying.

Mr Athumani started his journey into comedy at the age nine in Tanga where he was born in 1948.

He later served in the Tanzania People’s Defense Force (TPDF) as a fire-man for over 20 years. That was before becoming a full-time comedian. He quickly rose through the ranks to become one of the most sought after thespians in Tanzania.

He is known for his roles in various movies including Kondakta, Mama Nitilie Movie and King Majuto Returns Home among others.