On Tuesday, 19 August 2014, the remains of the renowned journalist, Nathaniel Ndazana “Nat” Nakasa, will land at King Shaka International Airport for them to be laid to rest in his home-soil after 50 years in exile.
A media briefing will be held at King Shaka International Airport where the Minister of Arts and Culture, Mr Nathi Mthethwa, the Premier of KwaZulu-Natal, Mr Senzo Mchunu and the Mayor of eThekwini, Cllr James Nxumalo will outline the journey travelled thus far on this historical occasion. They will also announce preparations for the reburial of Nakasa’s remains at Heroes’ Acre in Chesterville, Durban.
Nat Nakasa was a journalist from Chesterville, Durban, who began his work and career as a writer at Ilanga laseNatal in the late 1950s. He subsequently moved to Johannesburg, where he wrote for Golden City Post, Rand Daily Mail and DRUM magazine, covering many of the challenging stories and events of the time.
In 1964 he was awarded a Nieman Fellowship to study in America, but was not issued with a passport. He thus reluctantly went into exile. He died under mysterious circumstances in New York in 1965 and was buried at Ferncliff Cemetery. A delegation led by Minister Mthethwa and the Nakasa family is currently in New York for the exhumation of the mortal remains.
Details of the media are as follows:
Date: 19 August 2014
Time: 14h30
Venue: King Shaka International Airport, Dube Tradeport, Cargo Terminal, Durban
PS: Transport for media will leave from the City Hall parking lot at 13h00. To RSVP contact: Vuyo Ndlovu on 031 311 4838/ vuyo.ndlovu@durban.gov.za or
Madimetja Moleba 072 842 6594/012 441 3083/MadimetjaM@dac.gov.za
Please indicate if you require transport.
For more information contact:
Mary B Papayya
Cell: 082 379 4957
Mack Lewele
Cell: 082 450 5076 (Department of Arts and Culture)
