Even in death, PRO did something that he was consistently lauded for in life: he brought people together.
Linda Mkhize died on Wednesday, August 8, from what was revealed to have been bleeding in his pancreas.
On Thursday afternoon, the hip-hop fraternity came out to the Newtown Music Factory in Johannesburg in a send-off that was filled with good music, and more importantly, information about how to change the industry for young creatives. The memorial service was hosted by Penny Lebyane and T-BO Touch.
T-BO Touch and Penny Lebyane who were the hosts of the memorial service. Photo: Supplied
In attendance at the memorial were members of the Mkhize and Kheswa families, PRO's wife Ayanda and their daughter Nkanyezi, lovers of PRO's music and his contemporaries.
Among those who were spotted in the crowd were OG rapper Amu, L-Tido, AKA, Kwesta, Enzo and many others. Political leaders such as Gauteng MEC for Sports, Arts, Culture and Recreation, Faith Mazibuko, the African National Congress's Zizi Kodwa and the Economic Freedom Fighters Commander in Chief and Member of Parliament, Julius Malema were also in attendance.
A moving tribute by PRO's cousin Brenda Mpungose got the memorial underway, with Mpungose thanking South Africans and the music fraternity during this trying time for the family.
In honour of PRO, and the value that Slaghuis brought into his life and career, rappers from the space also paid tribute to the rapper through a cypher, much to the audience's delight.
More than anything, the atmosphere at the venue felt more like a celebration of Mkhize's life, with artists such as his younger brother DJ Citi Lyts and protege, RedButton taking on one of PRO's best-loved songs, Makasana in tribute.
Video: Thobile Mazibuko
Siyabonga 'Silkour' Metane was one of the speakers of the day, who was at pains to remind the fraternity that it was their responsibility to turn around the narratives that existed in the business and to make it better for future generations of creatives.
Video: Thobile Mazibuko
Silkour said: "We got to teach actors and musicians that making money from your music doesn't mean you understand business or that you are in business. We got to teach creatives that having a clothing brand doesn't doesn't mean you're in business.
Having distribution, manufacturing plants, warehouses, investors, that's business", he said.
K1's finest Kwesta was also among those who paid tribute to the rapper, saying that he owed all his success to PRO. That the blueprint he uses today was supplied by PRO.
Some important information was also shared at the memorial. The industry will be hosting a benefit concert in PRO's honour, the proceeds of which will be handed over to PRO's wife Ayanda and his daughter Nkanyezi.
Talk of a Hip Hop museum is also underway, to properly document the history and trajectory of the country's scene.
Linda Mkhize will be laid to rest on Sunday, August 19, where a service will be held at the UJ Soweto Campus from 8am. One last cypher in honour of PRO will take place in Jabulani, Soweto ahead of the funeral.
The country's Hip Hop fraternity standing together at PRO's memorial, singing along to his hit, Soweto. Video:Thobile Mazibuko