UKHOZI FM presenter and Crown Gospel Music Awards founder, Zanele Mbokazi Nkambule, will be honoured with a Special Provincial Official Funeral Category 2.
This was announced by KZN Premier Thami Ntuli, who expressed his gratitude to President Cyril Ramaphosa for granting Zanele a Special Official Funeral Category 2.
The Special Provincial Official Funeral Category 2, which includes elements of police ceremonial honours, is reserved for distinguished persons specifically designated by the President of South Africa on request by the Premier of a province.
Premier Ntuli described Mbokazi-Nkambule as a visionary and pathfinder who changed many lives, especially of young people through her academy, Future Leaders, which was founded to develop and shape 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 KZN intersects with the vision we hold for this province,” he said.
Ntuli said Zanele distinguished herself on radio and television as a 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, another platform she used to change the lives of many aspiring and developed 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,” he said.
Ntuli added that it’s for these reasons that, on behalf of the Provincial Executive Council, Government, and people of KZN, he made the request to the President to declare Zanele Mbokazi-Nkambule’s send-off a Special Provincial Official Funeral.
“On behalf of our province, I wish to thank the President for this respect and special send-off he has bestowed on the daughter of KZN,” he said.
Zanele’s funeral service will be held at Durban ICC on Saturday, 17 August.
She passed on Monday, 12 August after losing her battle with lung cancer.
