The SABC will be launching the Akhumzi Jezile Director Internship in honour of the former presenter and producer who died in a car crash in the Eastern Cape last weekend. This according to SABC representatives who spoke at a memorial service held for Jezile at the Rhema Bible Church in Randburg on Thursday night.
Friends, family and fans gathered in the large church hall to pay tribute to Jezile and celebrate a life well lived.
And, as friend and former Yo-TV presenter Hulisani Ravele says, what a life it was. “Forget a triple threat. Akhumzi was like a quadruple, quintuple threat. He was that. He was a presenter, producer, director, actor, script writer, you name it, whatever he was in this industry he did it and he did it well. That was Akhumzi.”
Close friend and colleague from Urban Brew, Adelaide Joshua-Hill says co-workers remember Jezele as charismatic, vibrant, bold, innovative, humble, happy, uncompromising, charming and larger than life. She says he was kind, passionate, compassionate and more. But above all, he was her brother.
“So how do we thank a man like you? We honour you. We celebrate what you gave us. And we live life to the fullest. We laugh together and we build each other. I know that that’s all that you would have wanted for each and every one of us to reach our full potential. And so that’s what we will do to honour you.”
The SABC, which had recently commissioned work from Jezele, has also chosen to honour his memory. For this reason, the broadcaster’s Milly Summergill says these projects will continue – but with the aim of keeping his legacy alive.
“So in terms of those two projects that was in development with the team that Akhumzi was working with. In that essence to recognise, to give honour and as a post-humus tribute to him we will be launching for two lucky candidates with the necessary foundation credentials we will be launching the Akhumzi Jezele director internship.”
The afternoon was filled with song, with an equal balance of laughter and tears as those closest to the TV legend recounted anecdotes and stories of their friend and mentor.
Jezile was just 29 years old at the time of his death, and industry insiders speculate what he could have done for the industry had he been granted another thirty years of life. Jezile will be laid to rest on Saturday.
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