Hero's send-off for #GuguZulu as flag-draped coffin parades through Johannesburg

28 July 2016 - 19:48 By Nomahlubi Jordaan

Draped in the South African flag‚ racing driver Gugu Zulu’s coffin was carried through the streets of Johannesburg on a fire engine to his final resting place at Westpark cemetery on Thursday. “I would like to make a plea to all of you to help me continue his legacy. He cared for the world. He did so much for so many people‚ selflessly‚” his widow Letshego implored mourners earlier at his funeral at Rhema Bible Church. She kissed their one-year-old daughter Lelethu and sang "It’s time to say goodbye" as relatives tossed yellow rose petals onto her husband’s coffin‚ which was lowered into the ground under a sweet pall of incense. Mourners wept. He will rest beside soccer great John “Shoes” Moshoeu‚ Top Billing presenter Simba Mhere‚ Kwaito star Senyaka Kekana‚ SABC television presenter Vuyo Mbuli‚ and Skwatta Kamp rapper Nkululeko “Flabba” Habedi.Gugu Zulu‚ 38‚ who was affectionately known as “the fastest brother in Africa”, died on July 18 after experiencing breathing problems while climbing Mount Kilimanjaro‚ in Tanzania‚ as part of the Trek4Mandela expedition to raise funds to provide 350‚000 impoverished shoolgirls with sanitary pads. He had complained of flu-like symptoms just a couple of days beforehand and posted on his Instagram account that he was “struggling” with the mountain.His tombstone commemorates the climb that claimed his life‚ showing various points on the mountain.A picture of a bicycle is etched into the stone. It was blessed during his burial.Zulu's sister Liyanda broke down while trying to read the inscriptions on the tombstone. Singer Babsie Mlangeni‚ who is blind‚ took over‚ reading them in Braille.“He reflected the glory of God. He died exposing a noble cause: a better life for a girl child‚” former Anglican Archbishop of Cape Town Njongonkulu Ndungane said, in paying tribute to him at the funeral.“In an era where we lack role models‚ we confuse plastic and fake. Gugu was not fake and he was not confused‚” added Sports Minister Fikile Mbalula.“We’ve lost our brother. His loss has devastated us. His death dealt us a heavy blow‚” said his cousin Sipho Zulu‚ who was overcome by emotion as he spoke near a portrait projected onto the stage‚ which was lined with bouquets of white flowers.Also at the funeral to bid Zulu farewell were Chief Justice Mogoeng Mogoeng‚ Johannesburg mayor Parks Tau‚ DJ Fresh‚ Gauteng premier David Makhura and other provincial government officials‚ who led the procession to the church.Mourners wore bright yellow smiley badges to remember Zulu’s infectious smiles.Letshego Zulu poured out her heart to her husband in a letter read by her best friend Sheila Akinnusi at the funeral.“As I look back over the last 10 days‚ I shake my head in disbelief as I never thought this day would come‚ certainly not now… I’ve been operating on autopilot‚” she said‚ describing Mandela Day 2016 as “a tough day for me”.“It was a long‚ treacherous‚ tiring walk. I lost my best friend‚ my better half‚ my Gugs. You departed on a really significant day.”The loss of her husband was the loss of a “superstar” who had been “passionate” about all he had done.His death had left a “gaping” hole in her heart.She would like a medical facility erected on Mount Kilimanjaro in honour of all those who have died of altitude sickness on the mountain.“We need to erect a medical facility at Horombo specifically because that is the one place where I saw his biggest smile‚ because it’s above the clouds.“We need the facility‚ even if it’s manned by one doctor a week. Many people suffer from altitude sickness [at Horombo].In her letter‚ Letshego Zulu said her heart would ache for a long time‚ but “I guess all will be well in due time”.“I cry simply because my heart aches. I know you are looking at me and saying: ‘Oh‚ my love‚ I’m sorry. I never wanted to see you cry’.“You’ve left me with a sense of peace.… You left this world so peacefully. It’s been hard to realise that your journey was God’s will…. I feel I can’t ask God why‚ because you are His child.“You were the best present ever…. You used to cook for me‚ open doors for me and do anything I asked of you….” ..

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