Durban - The KwaZulu-Natal government has cancelled Freedom Day celebrations in honour of the more than 400 people who perished when the province was hit by devastating floods.
Premier Sihle Zikalala made the announcement while delivering a eulogy at the funeral of five members of the Jileka family, who died when their house collapsed on them.
The province, like the rest of the country, was expected to hold Freedom Day celebrations on Wednesday – to mark the day black people voted for the first time in 1994.
Wednesday marks the 28th year after black people attained freedom in South Africa after years of apartheid.
“As the government of KwaZulu-Natal we have decided not to hold Freedom Day celebrations because of the disaster that hit us where we lost more than 400 lives in our province,” said the premier.
The funeral service for the five Jileka family members was held in the Church of the Holy Ghost in Hammarsdale west of Durban.
Bonakele Jileka died with all her four children, Akhile, 12, Zekhethelo, 10, Yenzokuhle, 9, and Elimiyo, 2, when their house collapsed on them.
It later emerged that Bonakele Jileka was a princess from the Zulu royal family. Zikalala said the government was grateful to King Misuzulu and the royal family for postponing the king’s coronation, which was scheduled to take place on May 28.
The Jileka family were among the first victims of the devastating floods which shocked the entire nation.
The family tragedy prompted a visit by President Cyril Ramaphosa, who was accompanied by the premier and eThekwini mayor Mxolisi Kaunda.
In response to the disastrous floods which have so far left 435 people dead and several dozen missing, the government placed the entire country under a state of national disaster and promised to rebuild 4 500 houses and repair damaged infrastructure.
While the premier was with the Jileka family, MEC for Transport, Community Safety and Liaison, Peggy Nkonyeni, paid her respects to three members of the Sibiya family during their funeral in uMzinyathi, north of Durban.
The three family members also died during the recent floods. One person from the family is still missing.
Nkonyeni assured the family of ongoing prayer and support for them, and commended the members of the Nazareth Baptist Church for giving support to the family during this difficult time.
Daily News