The premier of KwaZulu-Natal Thami Ntuli has announced that President Cyril Ramaphosa has approved a provincial request to honour radio personality Zanele Mbokazi-Nkambule with an official provincial funeral.
The announcement was made at 8pm on Friday evening 16 August – with the funeral going ahead as planned on Saturday morning, but now with some official flair.
Ntuli has expressed his gratitude to Ramaphosa for granting the respected radio personality, businesswoman and founder of the continentally acclaimed Crown Gospel Music Awards a “special provincial official funeral category 2”.
This official honour includes elements of ceremonial police presence and is reserved for distinguished persons specifically designated by the president of South Africa on request by the premier of a province.
Ntuli described Mbokazi-Nkambule as a visionary and pathfinder who changed many lives, especially of young people through her academy, Future Leaders. The academy was created to mould the youth into responsible and successful future leaders in various fields.
“We share the passion she had for the development of youth. We are inspired by her pioneering spirit. There is no doubt that her vision for a progressive and prosperous KwaZulu-Natal intersects with the vision we hold for this province,” said the premier.
He said Mbokazi-Nkambule distinguished herself as a radio and television broadcaster, and used the platforms to motivate women, young girls, rural people and the vulnerable.
He also applauded her for founding and nourishing the Crown Gospel Awards – a platform she used to change lives of many aspiring and developing artists of gospel and other music genres.
“She started these awards from scratch with little financial support. She developed this proudly KwaZulu-Natal brand which today is continentally appreciated and has produced so many musicians.
“We will replicate her entrepreneurial spirit as our way of upholding her legacy and continue to celebrate her across the province” added Ntuli.
The premier said it is for these reasons that, on behalf of the provincial executive council and government and the people of KwaZulu-Natal, he asked the president to declare Mbokazi-Nkambule’s a special provincial official funeral.
“On behalf of our province, I thank the president for this respect and the special send-off he has bestowed on this daughter of KwaZulu-Natal.”
Mbokazi-Nkambule passed away on Monday morning 12 August. Her funeral service will be held on Saturday at the Durban ICC from 9am. She will then be laid to rest at Marianhill Cemetery in the west of Durban.
Pictured above: Radio personality Zanele LaMbokazi-Nkambule is to receive a special provincial funeral.
Source: X
