Friends, family and fans gathered at the Rhema Bible Church today to bid farewell to racing car driver Gugu Zulu.
Zulu will be laid to rest at Westpark Cemetery following a state funeral at the church. Gugu Zulu will share his final resting place with other influential South Africans.
Among those present to bid farewell to Zulu were former Anglican Archibishop of Cape Town Njongonkulu Ndungane‚ Chief Justice Mogoeng Mogoeng‚ Joburg mayor Parks Tau‚ DJ Fresh and Sports Minister Fikile Mbalula.
The hearse carrying the body of Gugu Zulu had arrived at the Rhema Bible Church in a procession led by Gauteng Premier David Makhura and other officials.
Gugu Zulu died while taking part in the Trek4Mandela expedition on Mount Kilimanjaro last Monday.
He had complained of having flu-like symptoms on Saturday and posted on his Instagram account that he was “struggling with the mountain”.
Letshego Zulu during the funeral made an impassioned plea to those in power to erect a medical facility on Mount Kilimanjaro in honour of all those who have died of altitude sickness on the mountain.
“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. He was away from home a lot for charitable purposes‚” she told mourners at a funeral service for Gugu Zulu on Thursday.
“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].”
“I will continue to do more work to keep a girl child at school. This cause was important to him [Zulu]. I ask you to come together‚ go with me on this journey. I was married to an amazing man and that gives me strength to stand up. I will continue to stand and speak for the two of us‚” Letshego said.