FORMER Ukhozi FM station manager and veteran DJ Welcome “Bhodloza” Nzimande will be honoured with his hometown’s TVET college being named after him.
The announcement was made by KZN Premier Sihle Zikalala at his funeral in Richmond, KZN, on Wednesday, 20 January.
Zikalala said Indaleni TVET College would be named after Nzimande. He died on Friday, 15 January after a short battle with Covid-19.
The funeral service was held while the coffin was kept in the hearse at the back of a marquee.
Nzimande was seen as the father of traditional music in the radio industry. Before he became station manager in 2010, he spent 19 years behind the microphone.
Zikalala told Daily Sun that Nzimande was a good negotiator.
“He fought the government to re-open Indaleni College, which was closed in the 1990s due to political violence. It was reopened in 2015.
“He stopped the political violence between the IFP and ANC in Richmond and Hammarsdale in the 1990s. While the violence devastated the community, he managed to bring hope,” said the premier.
Nzimande’s daughter Nandipha read a farewell letter written by her mum Zandile.
“You will always be my king. You loved me from a young age, till death do us part. You taught me to be as selfless as you were. You lived your life and you helped people until your death,” stated the letter.
Station manager Sbongi Ngcobo said the SABC would always remember Nzimande. “Bhodloza developed Ukhozi from three to six million listeners in 2006. He was a good leader, selfless and committed to youth empowerment.”
