The City of Ekurhuleni will undertake programmes to honour the memory of the late Thandi Klassen as an artist and for her contribution to the struggle for a democratic South Africa, says Ekurhuleni Mayor Mzwandile Masina.<\/P>
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As a city, we will embark on numerous programmes to see how we can immortalise her good name. We will make sure that her good name is not associated with mediocrity, Masina said.<\/P>
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He was speaking during Klaasen’s memorial service at the Germiston City Hall. It was a moving tribute attended by many of the entertainment industry legends, numerous government officials, including the Minister of Communications Faith Muthambi and the Deputy Minister for Arts and Culture Rejoice Mabudafhasi.<\/P>
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The internationally acclaimed and respected jazz icon from Sophiatown succumbed to cancer recently at the East Rand Hospital at the age of 86.<\/P>
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Klaasen earned several awards and honours including the National Order of the Baobab from the President, which was bestowed on her for her excellent achievement in and contribution to music.<\/P>
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She remained an icon, an artist, a mother and compatriot, who established herself among her peers. We shall remember her contribution in exile, Masina said.<\/P>
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He said a resolution, according to the protocol policy, was adopted by Council to grant a Civic Funeral as well as Posthumous Freedom of the City to Thandi Klassen.<\/P>
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This is the highest honour conferred to an individual by the City. Previous recipients include the late ANC stalwart O.R. Tambo and his wife Adelaide Tambo.<\/P>
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Muthambi said Klaasen’s soothing voice helped to drown frustrations and keep hope alive during the struggle days from Sophiatown to Soweto, as well as abroad.<\/P>
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Apartheid, both petty and grand, could not suppress her indomitable spirit. Like many in her time, she experienced what it means to lose your house through the stroke of a pen, she said.<\/P>
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The freedom that South Africans enjoy today is because of people like Klassen, said the Minister.<\/P>
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Very few individuals have captured South Africa’s political and cultural imagination and impacted on the lives of many musicians as Mama Klaasen had.<\/P>
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She will remain etched in our memories. We are privileged to have known and shared moments with her, Minister Muthambi said.<\/P>
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Source: NAM NEWS NETWORK<\/P>
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The City of Ekurhuleni will undertake programmes to honour the memory of the late Thandi Klassen as an artist and for her contribution to the struggle for a democratic South Africa, says Ekurhuleni Mayor Mzwandile Masina.As a city, we will embark on nu…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"\n