VETERAN soccer star Dennis Lota was this afternoon buried at West Park Cemetery in Johannesburg, during a ceremony attended by his widow, children, parents, relatives and other mourners.
The burial ceremony commenced with a church service and a sermon delivered by Church of Johannesburg’s Bishop Dulton Adams at 10:00.
Lota’s wife, children, his sister Rose and other mourners were joined for the service by his parents, his brother Mike and other siblings, who arrived in South Africa today.
Shortly after, Lota’s casket was carried from the Church alter to the hearse by Moroka Swallows Football Club players, who included captain Lefa Tsutsulapa and Lerato Chabangu, accompanied by the grieving family members for the burial procession to West Park Cemetery slight after 11:30 hours.
Zambians clad in national colours thronged both the Church service and the burial site where they sung solemn Zambian songs, including kalombo mwane, while several men joined others in the burying.
The emotional send off by mourners from all walks of life bore testimony to the lasting impact and legacy the late soccer star had left behind.
It also bears witness to what Republican President Michael Sata said recently about Lota, describing him as a great and talented compatriot who flew the Zambian flag higher than the nation had expected and imagined in diverse territories or boundaries.
“No doubt, Dennis will be deeply missed by many both home and abroad. May the Almighty God grant the bereaved family fortitude and comfort during this painful period,” said President Sata recently.
Prominent at the burial service were Zambia’s deputy High Commissioner to South Africa Joe Kaunda, officials from Ministry of sport, South African National Soccer team coach Gordon Igesund, former Bafana Bafana star Siyabonga Nomvete, Moroka Swallows coach Zeca Marques and huge group of Zambians clad in Chipolopolo jerseys as well as hundreds of mourners from South Africa and other nations.
Rest in peace ba Mwinsho.
Go well Dennis Lota!! but you have left more pain for your family and friends,, That south african coloured wife of ours `ill treated` your family and friends by not allowing them to mourn you in zambian,, Your parents were booked in a hotel allowed only limited time to visit your house which was suposed to a funeral house,,
your friends including minister of sport mr kambwili were sprayed with insults when they tried to advise
Go well man, you entertained us.
May his rest in perfect peace
I wonder where the High commissioner was
Till we meet again. JK sings “ichimusebo”, true chasenda bengi.
What a great lose a great pain we have losing a father,brother, friend and a neighbour in our city johnessburg and a country whom one day had a desire,dreams, passion to achieve more in life but the there cut off.may the almighty God strengthen and confort the family. Soon we will meet in glory land with him.( Denis lota.) may your soul rest in peace.
Amen!
ABORMINATION ZAMBIAN BURIED IN FOREIGHN LAND.GVT BOUGHT AND TRANSPORTED BALLOT PAPERS FROM UK BUT APA VAKANGA BWANJI
It’s not upto Govt to decide where the remains of Lota should be buried, it’s Lota’s wife and family to do that. Govt through FAZ bought the Casket and air tickets for the immediate family to travel from Zed to SA.
@JUDGE burying someone in another country is a family decision. Why blame the govt when the family made its own decision?
WAJI MWANAMULUME…….REST IN PEACE…….
South African women always dictate where burriel should take place and do not consider deceased parents view and soon after burriel the go galavanting all over the world for holiday and shopping.Abig lesson to Zambian men.Shame.
Why are Zambians so meek to an extent that they become punching bags by foreigners, politically, socially, economiclly or just any other way? RIEP Lota!
I suggest counselling and terminal benefits for his mother from government regardless him quitting that green passport. He was a real zambian at birth and am 100% sure he died as one!