Former SABC Sports presenter and music rights activist Owen Thulani Ndlovu will be laid to rest at Westpark Cemetery on Friday, 25 September, following a funeral service in Lenasia South. The service will begin at 9am at the Lenasia South Civic Centre, at the corner of Wimbledon and Wellington roads, before the cortege travels to Westpark Cemetery for the 11am burial.
Ndlovu was abducted outside a church in Katlehong on 15 September. His body was discovered the following morning in Thokoza with gunshot wounds. His Ford Raptor was later found abandoned in Walkerville. Police have not made any arrests, with the Germiston Trio Crimes unit continuing to investigate. No motive has been established. A memorial service will be held today, Wednesday, 23 September, from 11am to 4pm at Walter Sisulu Hall in Randburg. Ndlovu was known for his work in sports broadcasting and music production, and later became an outspoken campaigner for artists’ royalty rights through Artists United. His death has prompted tributes from across the broadcasting, music and sports industries.
He later became one of the more combative voices in the fight over artists’ royalties, campaigning through Artists United work that put him in sustained conflict with the Southern African Music Rights Organisation (SAMRO) and its chief executive, Annabell Lebethe. He accused the organisation of governance failures and of mismanaging money owed to artists. SAMRO has rejected the allegations. He was due in court in a related matter the day after his body was found; that case was postponed to 2 October.
