JOHANNESBURG, July 28 (ANA ) – Hundreds of mourners gathered at Rhema Church in Randburg on Thursday for the funeral service of racing driver Gugu Zulu.
Celebrities and dignitaries, including Minister of Sport and Recreation Fikile Mbalula, Johannesburg Mayor Parks Tau, Chief Justice Mogoeng Mogoeng, and Gauteng Premier David Makhura, attended the service.
“Gugulethu Zulu broke down barriers and shattered the glass ceiling in a sport not common to our townships. He became a role model to many who have sought to emulate him,” said Tau while paying tribute to the renowned sportsmen.
Zulu died last week Monday while attempting to summit Mount Kilimanjaro as part of the Trek4Mandela initiative to raise money for disadvantaged school girls to buy sanitary pads.
He died after experiencing flu-like symptoms during the climb.
Mbalula said Zulu was a true role model in the townships and wasn’t confused.
“He understood that spiritual richness is not about money, it’s about making a difference to others.”
He said Zulu once took him for a ride to teach him about car racing.
“The reason why he took me there was to show me that you need to invest also in motor sport, its very important because there are youngsters, African and black, who can do this sport,” Mbalula said.
Zulu’s wife Letshego, who was with him when was summiting Kilimanjaro, was dressed in black and spoke about her husband without shedding a tear.
“I was married to an amazing man, and it breaks my heart he is no longer here with us. But he was a man of many people, he loved so many people. I was never jealous of that love because I knew I was his first lady.”
Letshogo told mourners she intended to climb Kilimanjaro again next year.
“In a year’s time I will summit on Mount Uhuru on Mandela Day. I think we all need to come together, with the Tanzanian president, and fight for the plight of the many people who have lost their lives. We should erect a mini medical facility at Uhuru. Nothing big, something that can be manned by one doctor a week because so many people suffer from altitude sickness,” she said.
The 38-year-old will be laid to rest at West Park Cemetery in Johannesburg.
– African News Agency (ANA)
