‘Official’ funeral wanted for Saba
Prominent South Africans, including traditional leaders, have mounted a call for popular Umhlobo Wenene FM DJ, Saba Mbixane, 54, to be given a provincial funeral.
Mbixane promoted traditional music and was an ambassador for the Eastern Cape.
SON OF THE SOIL: A taxi bears a condolence message for DJ Saba in Zwelitsha Picture: MARK ANDREWS
He died from head injuries early on Thursday after crashing his bike on February 9, apparently after trying to avoid low-flying vultures.
The call was made at the opening of the House of Traditional Leaders yesterday by the leader of the house, Mnoneleli Ranuga.
“Zaw Zaw” or DJ Napkin, with his trademark voice, celebrated his 30th year behind the microphone.
Saba’s uncle, Sidima, said his nephew would be buried in Mandileni village outside Mount Frere next Sunday, but the date still had to be finalised.
The respected “giant of the airwaves” notched up a string of achievements topped by winning the South African Traditional Music Awards four years in a row from 2011 to 2014.
Fans, colleagues and politicians mourned the loss of a superb broadcaster, businessman and farmer. calling him an “icon, hero, patriot” and “pillar” of indigenous music.
In Berlin, Germany, South African ambassador Makhenkesi Stofile said: “The knock-out blow of his departure has left us punch-drunk. We have lost the greatest and most charismatic champion of oomaskhanda and traditional music. Africa was his water and he was the fish.”
Arts and Culture MEC Pemmy Majodina said her department would “pull out all the stops” to ensure a great send-off for Mbixane.
She has asked Masualle to sanction a provincial funeral and promised “it will be out of this world”.
The founder of the Satma awards, Dumisani Goba, said Mbixana’s death had been met with a “huge outcry” in KwaZulu-Natal, home to many of his fans.
“We are still very shocked. We were expecting a lot from him,” said Goba.
Parliament’s chair of the portfolio committee on social development, Zoleka Capa, said Mbixane had restored dignity to black people.
“Hordes of youth he mentored are left deeply wounded,” said Capa.
Agriculture MEC Mlibo Qoboshiyane said Mbixane had promoted agriculture as a way of alleviating poverty.
“Mbixane’s hand hoe has fallen. He ploughed his last seeds, uttered his last words on his radio show. But his legacy will live on,” he said.
Eastern Cape DA chairwoman and MPL Veliswa Mvenya said: “DJ Ntozabantwana was a true friend to his listeners and will be sorely missed. We trust that the prayers of his listeners and the grace of God will carry his family through this trying time.”
In November, Alfred Nzo district municipality mayor Eunice Diko handed Mbixane an executive mayor’s special award.
ANC provincial secretary Oscar Mabuyane said the loss of Mbixana so soon after the death of the DJ’s son, was a double blow to the family.
UWfm station manager Phumzile Mnci said the SABC would welcome a provincial funeral. — Additional reporting by Asanda Nini
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Rob February 28, 2015 at 6:38 pm
Vultures are in dire straits in the Transkei due to power lines, muti and now locals settling right next to breeding cliffs because some bright spark decided that it was a good idea to build a road leading directly to the famous Collywobbles vulture breeding site. They’ll all be gone soon.
Anele February 28, 2015 at 9:09 pm
Mbixane ntozabantwana may your soul rest in peace we will always love you.
Sokoyi Phisipho March 1, 2015 at 10:55 am
Kugawulwa imithi eyaziwayo,kwi zihlala,izalamane nakubalandeli nakusapho ngokubanzi,ngxe ntozakuthi kunje kwintlanga zonke,aingaqumbi siqalekise uThixo
ANNDILE P March 2, 2015 at 10:03 am
only wish he was ANC, then all else will follow
Mluleki March 2, 2015 at 6:27 pm
Lala ngoxolo DJ Zaw Zaw sizakulikhumbula elo lizwi lakho ngempela veki ngomgqibelo
Kaylin February 9, 2016 at 1:05 am
Siyabulela March 3, 2015 at 3:14 pm
Masithuthuzelekeni mzontsundu,inkomo yenqoma yintsengwa’bheka kubuhlungu kona kodwa masamnkeleni naye alale ngokululeka ubawo u Mbixane.
Siyabulela Njotni March 3, 2015 at 3:18 pm
umnkile u Mashiya’mahle njengenyamazana,limnkile ithole lezawu-zawu hamba ambophumla dj Ntozabantwana ugqatso ulufezile,goqo goqo mfazi obele linye ,hayi maan,yiyeke.
mbuyiselo tonyela March 3, 2015 at 4:02 pm
nakule into uyehova uninonelele mkhululeni uzaw zaw ayokuphumla
Lindelwa March 4, 2015 at 12:53 am
Saba,Ngelengele,uyiphakamisile iMandileni,kwaBhaca kwezolimo nakwezo sasazo.Ubungenantanga mntaka kaMazulu,sithandwa sikaMamaduna,tata wabantwana benu.Wanga uThixo woxolo angalibopha eli nxeba linzulu kangaka kulo Mzantsi Afrika. SITHI LALA UPHUMLE ZAW ZAW,UMHLOBO WENENE FM WILL NEVER BE THE SAME WITHOUT YOUR CONTRIBUTION.
THOBEKA NQWABA March 4, 2015 at 4:05 pm
Saba ka-Mbixane, Hlubi, Ngelengele, lala ngoxolo wanga uThixo angawamkela ngomoya wothando umphefumlo wakho uyohlala uhleli ezintliziyweni zethu.
Madoda Mabuto March 5, 2015 at 10:23 am
Lala Ngoxolo Zaw Zaw, you were a brand of your own.
you will be sadly missed but celebrated by those who adored you.
liwile i Zaw Zaw
may you be rested Hulubi. Usivusile wasishukumisa isintu nenkolo yakwantu ngomculo wakho okhethekileyo.
Victor Ndi March 5, 2015 at 11:37 am
Ohh mashiyamahle usishiye ne nxeba elinzulu, kodwa sinethemba uba uThixo uyakusibopha : LALA NGOXOLO ZIKODE NATHI SISENDLELENI. Uba bendilixhwele ngendithathe intonga yomnquma ndatshawuza ukugxotha elizulu lidlule liyoduduma embo.
busi March 5, 2015 at 11:41 am
Xa ilanga lipuma kusekuhleni uba lizakutshona,nakuwe ke Zawa kufike elo xesha.Sibulela uba uThixo esinikile iintsalela zakho sizakuzikhomba apo sizibeke khona,lala upumle sohlala sikukhumbula.
mazwe March 5, 2015 at 12:06 pm
R.l.Peace mashiya amahle njenge ?
PHUMLA SIMAMA March 5, 2015 at 12:48 pm
ISHABA LOKUGQIBELA LAKUBHANGISWA KUKUFA, LALA NGOXOLO ZAW ZAW
sivuyile nontolwana March 5, 2015 at 2:01 pm
silahlekelwe isizwe sakhuthi kukushiywa yilengweleketshetshe kwaye akukho mntu oyakuyivala indawo yakhe. ndikhumbula ndiseseyintwana ehamba isikolo esenza i breakfast show endenza ndibe late xa ndisiya eskolweni ngenxa yoncuthu mazangwa lomculo owayewudlala. Lala ngoxolo Zaw Zaw iyidlalile eyakho ndima.
Ps.Lulamani zGulukungqu March 6, 2015 at 12:07 pm
Lala ngoxolo Zawzaw Mashiya amahle anjenge nyamazana ungajuza umbane wezulu bembamba bemyeka besithi akanamhlehlo kanti umhlehlo ugcwele yimbambalala yuu usebsnzile Zikode lala ngoxolo inkosi ivumile yona sizaxola hlubi lekhethu
mazokwana nkosinathi March 6, 2015 at 12:19 pm
lala ngoxolo hlubi dj ntozabantwana sohlala sikukhumbula usebenzile emhlabeni phumla ngoxolo mzukulwana ka khalimeshe
Zee March 6, 2015 at 5:35 pm
Zaw-zaw lalangokuthula madala usigruzule intliziyo thina balandeli bakho ngokusizimela.
thobeka NKOMO March 7, 2015 at 6:05 am
akhonto kuba sokwenzele phumla zawa kodwa heyi ! kubuhlungu
vuyiswa March 8, 2015 at 8:12 am
lala. ngoxolo mkulu saba sopukilebemipefumlwen we will mic u dad.
vuyiswa ngubo March 8, 2015 at 8:18 am
bekumnandi sipulapula iinkqubo zako kulo lonke eli tjo uhambe ngoxolo.
Nokwanda March 8, 2015 at 9:45 am
Eneneni isitya esihle asidleli.You will be sadly missed Zawa especially during saturdays for your programme.
phumzile March 8, 2015 at 10:08 am
Zaw Zaw rest in peace we will always miss you ,
phumzile mthembu bizana March 8, 2015 at 2:58 pm
Zawu Zawu rest in peace will always mic !
mthobeli majiyezi March 9, 2015 at 10:29 am
ulale ngoxolo hlubi elihle ngelengele,sizakukhubula ngemisebenzi yakho emihle oyenzileyo emhlabeni kwaye ndifunde lukhulu apho kuwe RIP
Nteboheng March 9, 2015 at 11:05 am
RIP Zaw Zaw a.k.a Ntozabantwana
ZONGEZILE MANXUSA March 11, 2015 at 7:01 am
Lala ngoxolo.Mshiya/Zawa uyohlala uhleli engqodweni yam,ngokomoya