Johannesburg - A retired Durban priest, Rod van Zuylen, is to be knighted by England's Queen Elizabeth for his work with the poor, the Sunday Times reports.
The Anglican Reverend Canon, aged 69, will be knighted during a ceremony conducted by Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu, since Van Zuylen cannot afford the plane ticket to the ceremony in England in August.
“It's too expensive to buy tickets for myself and my family, so I would rather receive the honour here among my friends and close family. It will also be more of a personal affair.”
Van Zuylen said he did not know who nominated him for the knighthood in connection with the work he had done amongst the poor with the international charity, the Order of St John.
“I was completely and pleasantly surprised and very humbled... This was totally unexpected,” he said. - Sapa