Johannesburg - Mourners gathered on Thursday morning at the Rhema Bible Church in Randburg to bid a final farewell to racing driver Gugu Zulu.
Candles were lit around his casket which had the national flag draped over it. Family and close friends wept as they gathered around his coffin.
Anglican Archbishop Njongonkulu Ndungane told mourners that Zulu had shown the community great possibilities by living a selfless life.
“A challenge has been set for all of us to pick up the mantle of Gugu and maintain his legacy.”
People sat quietly wiping away tears when a letter from his wife was read out during the service.
The service was attended by celebrities and dignitaries including Premier of Gauteng David Makhura and Minister of Sports and Recreation Fikile Mbalula. Zulu will be laid to rest at West Park Cemetry.
Zulu died last week Monday while attempting to summit Mount Kilimanjaro as part of the Trek4Mandela initiative to raise money to buy sanitary pads for disadvantaged school girls.
African News Agency (ANA)
Heart felt words have been shared, our deepest condolences to the Zulu family. You are in our prayers #RIPGuguZulu pic.twitter.com/nqQLUG74ji
— Parks Tau (@MayorTau) July 28, 2016
You can donate sanitary pads in honour of #GuguZulu at the #NelsonMandela Foundation #Trek4Mandela #GirlChild pic.twitter.com/TN5dNuhgxt
— NelsonMandela (@NelsonMandela) July 27, 2016
The @CityofJoburgZA under the leadership of @MayorTau& Speaker Bapela are hosting a #CivicFuneral for #GuguZulu pic.twitter.com/ZRyM6eAfc0
— GautengGov (@GautengProvince) July 28, 2016