MUSIC legend Joseph Shabalala (78) will be buried at a place he chose himself.
Last week, his eldest son Nkosinathi (59) told Daily Sun the Ladysmith Black Mambazo leader made his burial wishes clear before he died.
“About five years ago my father took me to a graveyard and showed me where he’d like to be buried and he also chose a tombstone he liked. At the time, he was healthy,” he said.
On Sunday, President Cyril Ramaphosa announced Joseph would be given a special official funeral, category two.
Nkosinathi said: “I’m happy my father’s wishes have been granted. We discussed it as a family and it was agreed he will be buried at his place of choice. Our role as the family will end on Friday.
“We are expecting the president to arrive on Friday morning, wrap his coffin with the flag and thereafter proceedings will be handled by the state.”
He said his father would be buried at Ladysmith Cemetery on Saturday. Daily Sun also learnt the Ladysmith Black Mambazo group on tour would be arriving in Durban on Thursday night.
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Three memorial services are set to take place this week, at the Ladysmith Indoor Sports Centre today, the Durban Playhouse tomorrow and the Standard Bank Arena in Joburg on Thursday.
Nkosinathi said Joseph’s wife Thoko might attend the Durban and Ladysmith services. He said a night vigil would also be held on Friday night.