“Memorial Services Announced for Beloved Ukhozi FM Legend Dr S.D. Gumbi”
THE funeral details of beloved Reverend Dr Simon Dingane “S.D.” Gumbi have been revealed.
The 66-year-old man of God, who was popular for his phrase ‘U-Amen Usakhona?’, will be laid to rest in Standerton.
His funeral service will be held at Sakhile Community Stadium in Standerton, Mpumalanga on Tuesday, 22 July.
His family said they’re still waiting for the Mpumalanga government to grant Dr Gumbi a state funeral.
Dr Gumbi, who made his name preaching on Ukhozi FM Sunday night show, Unkulunkulu Nomuntu Omusha in the 1990s, will be honoured with two memorial services.
The first one will be held in his hometown in Standerton and the second one will take place in Tsakane, Gauteng. Dr Gumbi passed away on Monday 14 July after a long illness.
Family spokesman Pastor Thami Nhlapo said they invite anyone to come and bid farewell to the servant of God.
“As the family of Dr S.D. Gumbi, we are officially announcing the details of the services. The first and the main memorial service will be on the 18th of July at 1pm at the church, Standerton AOG Nicholas Bhengu Memorial. People are expected to arrive on time because if they arrive late, they will be having a sitting arrangement problem.
“Considering the work of our father, as the family we have decided there should be a second memorial service which we decided to do it in Gauteng province. Considering the distance and the central venue, we opted to take the church there by Umndeni at Tsakane on Saturday, 19 July at 1pm,” he said.
Pastor Nhlapo said they’re still waiting for the approval of the state funeral from the Mpumalanga provincial government and if it has been approved, it will be announced by the premier.
He said they’re disappointed that they have seen fake reports circulating claiming that the state funeral has been approved and they discourage those who are doing that.
The pastor stated that they’ve requested the delegation to manage the stage for musicians during the funeral service and that delegation will be led by Percy Ingle and Sipho “Big Fish” Makhabane.
He requested all musicians who want to perform during the funeral service to make the arrangement with the delegation.
