Durban - Friends and family of the late former Durban Chamber of Commerce and Industry president Sifiso Zulu have pleaded with those “offended” by him to “please forgive him”.
The business chamber, joined by Zulu’s family, bid farewell to him in a dignified memorial service at the Moses Mabhida Stadium on Tuesday afternoon.
Long-time friend Themba Dlomo, addressing about 100 people who had gathered, said: “If there is anybody who has got anything bad against him … whether he (Zulu) said anything bad to them … Let us forgive uMageba. Let us let him rest in peace. Let us look at the lessons that he left, especially us black people who want to succeed in the business industry.”
Zulu, a prominent businessman and socialite, was convicted in 2010 on charges of homicide after killing two students and injuring 10 others when his BMW X5 rammed into their bakkie in Anton Lembede (Smith) Street in Durban. Another woman was disabled in the accident.
Zulu died at the age of 43 last week, after a short illness.
He became the chamber’s youngest president in 2005.
Speaking on behalf of the family, Zulu’s cousin Dumo Zulu said: “As a person, you step on people’s toes and you apologise. But sometimes it becomes difficult for people to forgive and forget. So, to all of us here – those he offended – as a member of the family, kindly forgive him.”
Friends and colleagues took turns relaying stories of a jovial and intelligent Zulu.
Durban Chamber of Commerce and Industry president Zeph Ndlovu recalled how Zulu had joined the chamber and had “challenged mainstream” thinking.
He said Zulu had made an “indelible impact” on every person he had met.
“He was a brave man. He never allowed barriers to define his character. He was astute – very sharp and smart. As a businessman, when he identified a niche in the marketplace, he would not relent until he had got it. The legacy of his work is there for everyone to see.”
Zulu’s role in several projects in Durban was also acknowledged.
The Mercury