Ethiopian TV personality Alebachew Teka dies in car crash

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia, Jan 17, 2005 (AP) — Comedian and talk show host Alebachew Teka, one of Ethiopia’s top television stars, was killed when his car careered off the road and plunged into a ravine, police and friends said Monday. He was 43.

Alebachew was driving from Addis Ababa to Jimma, 200 kilometers (124 miles) west of the capital, to film a documentary when the accident happened Sunday. A cameraman was also killed and another seriously wounded, police said.

Tributes poured in Monday for Alebachew, who pioneered comedy on Ethiopian television.

“He was loved by so many because of his generosity,” said Tefara Gedamu, another well-known TV personality here. “He was famous throughout Ethiopia.”

More than 60,000 mourners attended Alebachew’s funeral Monday at St. Joseph’s church on the outskirts of Addis Ababa.

Alebachew rose to prominence during the 1980s for a satirical television show that was a huge hit under the brutal rule of dictator Mengistu Haile Mariam. But it was his successful series “The Alebe Show” that brought him widespread fame. In the talk show, Alebachew would persuade rich guests to pledge money to help the destitute.

Police are investigating the cause of Sunday’s crash. Many cars and roads are in poor condition in Ethiopia and accidents are frequent.

Alebachew is survived by a wife and three children, two daughters and a son.