Johannesburg - Family, friends and colleagues of the late Gugu Zulu filled an auditorium at the Kyalami race track in Johannesburg for a memorial service in honour of the former racer.
Zulu died after suffering from “flu-like” symptoms before summiting Mount Kilimanajro, which he was climbing with his wife Letshego and a group of South Africans.
He was part of the Trek4Mandela expedition. The expedition was intended to raise money to buy sanitary pads for disadvantaged school girls.
An exhibition of photographs, which portrayed the racer’s life, greeted mourners at the entrance to the packed auditorium. Zulu’s family, including his wife Letshego, sat at the front of the hall, constantly comforting each other with hugs or by holding hands. His one-year-old daughter Lelethu became restless and was taken outside the auditorium where she was kept throughout the entire service.
Sombre mood
The room was sombre with almost every person wiping tears from their eyes. Friends described Zulu as a man with integrity, a man who loved his family and honoured his parents. Some speakers rendered poems in tribute to the late sportsman.
“Gugu was a man of compassion and cared about the less fortunate. It’s the same selfless that cost him his life,” said Zulu’s friend Andre Ross.
Richard Mabaso from Imbumba foundation, who was also part of the Trek4Mandela group, spoke about the last moments he had with the late racer.
Memorial for Gugu Zulu today at Kyalami #vagmotorsport #rip #guguzulu #ripguguzulu #gonetoosoon
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“When we realised that Gugu wasn’t feeling well we walked down the mountain... When we got down the mountain Letshego said something very profound and we cried as we consoled each other.”
“When she stopped crying she said this is the man I married and dated, and this is the true character of Gugu to make sure I made it to the mountain safe before he could let go, he knew that he wasn’t going to make it,” said Mabaso.
Mabaso said the target was to raise three hundred and fifty thousand sanitary towels, but with the involvement of Zulu they managed to collect over 3.6 million pads.
Legacy of greatness
Nelson Mandela Foundation CEO Sello Hatang, who recruited Gugu Zulu to climb Mount Kilimanjaro, said: “I want to say to Gugu that you died on Madiba’s birthday and every year when we remember Madiba’s word we will be thinking about Gugu Zulu.”
He said Zulu’s legacy of greatness is now tied with greatness itself. “When you see Madiba wherever you meet, tell him I died birthing a country of your dreams. I died trying to restore dignity to those who lose it everyday,” Hatang concluded.
Zulu’s mother Puleng paid tribute to her late son by explaining how he displayed his love of cars and cycling at an early age.
“From a tender age Gugu just had two toys, cars and a bicycle and when he was 6 (years) Gugu said I’m going to be a driver.”
Zulu’s mother encouraged parents to support their children’s dreams because that’s where they shine the most.
Letshego, who was in tears while her message to her late husband was read out in a room full of mourners, decided to speak briefly before the service ended.
“I didn’t plan to say anything but I felt like saying something. I had an amazing husband…I know wherever he is he looking down on me and saying I’m sorry my baby.”
Zulu’s parents said they were not angry over their son’s death but rather grateful that they were chosen to be a vessel to bring a champion into the world.
Zulu will be laid to rest on Thursday after a funeral service at Rhema Bible Church in Randburg.
African News Agency (ANA)
Time to say goodbye... #RIPGuguZulu #GuguZulu #Heartbroken #MemorialService
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