President Jacob Zuma has turned down a request by the Eastern Cape government to grant a special provincial, official funeral to popular Umhlobo Wenene DJ, Saba Mbixane.
Mbixane, 54, who died from head injuries late last month following a motorbike accident in Mount Frere, will be laid to rest in his birth village of Mandileni tomorrow.
The premier’s spokeswoman Nomfanelo Kota yesterday confirmed that their request had been turned down by Zuma’s office. She did not provide reasons why.
“These are matters of state policy and we respect the decision of the president.”
Kota said the provincial government would still give Mbixane a dignified funeral.
A statement issued by presidency spokesman Mac Maharaj in January this year said distinguished persons can be granted a special provincial official funeral.
The premier of a province sends a request to the president for consideration if they feel someone deserves such recognition.
It was issued after Zuma had declared an official funeral for former struggle veteran, Anglican Church cleric Reverend Mcebisi Xundu, who passed away in January.
Former Orlando Pirates and Bafana Bafana goalkeeper Senzo Meyiwa was also accorded an official funeral by the presidency despite being capped fewer than 10 times by the national soccer team.
The Dispatch has previously reported that prominent South Africans including traditional leaders, had mounted a call for the legendary Mbixane to be given a provincial funeral.
Maharaj declined to comment when contacted yesterday. He referred the Dispatch to the Eastern Cape government, saying he did not want to breach confidentiality issues.
Eastern Cape House of Traditional Leaders chairman Ngangomhlaba Matanzima said they had taken it for granted that Mbixane would be accorded an official funeral for his role in promoting arts and culture.
Mbixane’s uncle, Sidima said the preparations for the funeral were going well but said the family had not been informed that the request had been turned down.
Umzimvubu local municipal mayor Khulukazi Pangwa, whose municipality encompasses both Mount Ayliff and Mount Frere, where Mbixane was born, downplayed the turning down of Masualle’s request by the presidency.
She said the municipality would host a massive memorial service for him at the Madzikane KaZulu Memorial Hospital, where Umhlobo Wenene FM and Ukhozi FM would broadcast live.
Eastern Cape provincial sports, recreation, arts and culture MEC Pemmy Majodina said her department had roped in traditional artists who would perform free of charge during the funeral.
US civil rights activist the Reverend Jesse Jackson in a statement yesterday said: “I was fortunate to have met him last year during the Satma Awards and his love for culture and especially traditional music was visible just listening to him and observing him.”
Zuma denies Saba an official funeral
Mbixane, 54, who died from head injuries late last month following a motorbike accident in Mount Frere, will be laid to rest in his birth village of Mandileni tomorrow.
The premier’s spokeswoman Nomfanelo Kota yesterday confirmed that their request had been turned down by Zuma’s office. She did not provide reasons why.
“These are matters of state policy and we respect the decision of the president.”
Kota said the provincial government would still give Mbixane a dignified funeral.
A statement issued by presidency spokesman Mac Maharaj in January this year said distinguished persons can be granted a special provincial official funeral.
The premier of a province sends a request to the president for consideration if they feel someone deserves such recognition.
It was issued after Zuma had declared an official funeral for former struggle veteran, Anglican Church cleric Reverend Mcebisi Xundu, who passed away in January.
Former Orlando Pirates and Bafana Bafana goalkeeper Senzo Meyiwa was also accorded an official funeral by the presidency despite being capped fewer than 10 times by the national soccer team.
The Dispatch has previously reported that prominent South Africans including traditional leaders, had mounted a call for the legendary Mbixane to be given a provincial funeral.
Maharaj declined to comment when contacted yesterday. He referred the Dispatch to the Eastern Cape government, saying he did not want to breach confidentiality issues.
Eastern Cape House of Traditional Leaders chairman Ngangomhlaba Matanzima said they had taken it for granted that Mbixane would be accorded an official funeral for his role in promoting arts and culture.
Mbixane’s uncle, Sidima said the preparations for the funeral were going well but said the family had not been informed that the request had been turned down.
Umzimvubu local municipal mayor Khulukazi Pangwa, whose municipality encompasses both Mount Ayliff and Mount Frere, where Mbixane was born, downplayed the turning down of Masualle’s request by the presidency.
She said the municipality would host a massive memorial service for him at the Madzikane KaZulu Memorial Hospital, where Umhlobo Wenene FM and Ukhozi FM would broadcast live.
Eastern Cape provincial sports, recreation, arts and culture MEC Pemmy Majodina said her department had roped in traditional artists who would perform free of charge during the funeral.
US civil rights activist the Reverend Jesse Jackson in a statement yesterday said: “I was fortunate to have met him last year during the Satma Awards and his love for culture and especially traditional music was visible just listening to him and observing him.”
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