Durban - Several tributes have been planned in the city to honour the late Queen Elizabeth ll leading up to her funeral next week at London’s Westminster Abbey on September 19.
This follows the death of the UK’s longest-reigning monarch last Thursday at the age of 96 after a 70-year reign.
The Order of St John in Durban has created a memory table in the foyer of their building in the CBD to honour the Queen, who was the Sovereign Head of the most Venerable Order of St John for more than 70 years.
“Her Majesty was the Sovereign Head of the most Venerable Order of St John for more than 70 years. Her guidance and support shaped St John into a modern global healthcare organisation which is deeply rooted in our history as an order of the Crown” wrote Prof Mark Compton, Lord Prior, St John.
The Order of St John is one of the oldest non-profit organisations in the world and has been active in South Africa for the past 130 years.
St John South Africa offers first-aid skills training, eye care, ambulance services and medical supplies and facilitates community initiatives. They have a training centre and eye care clinic in central Durban, and an eye care clinic in Pietermaritzburg.
- For more information about the memory table call 031 305 6588.
There will also be prayer services. A prayer service will be held on Sunday, September 18 at 9am in honour of the queen at St Cyprian’s Anglican Church, 603 Umbilo Road.
The church said there will be a guest trumpet player, Russell Scott and piper, Pipe Major Ken Mustard, performing musical tributes as part of the service, the homily will be given by Reverend Dane Elsworth.
A tribute will be given by David Warmback, Honorary British Consul, KZN.
- For more information about the prayer service call 031 205 3710.
Also on Sunday, a musical tribute will be performed by pianist Christopher Duigan. Duigan will present a solo concert in St Agnes Church in Kloof on Sunday, September 18 at 3pm.
“He will be playing Elgar’s ‘Nimrod’ from ‘Enigma Variations’ as a gesture of respect to the passing of the Queen in Sunday’s concert,” said the St Agnes Church.
- For bookings contact booking@musicrevival.co.za (email) or 083 417 4473 (SMS or WhatsApp only)
The funeral of the queen will be shown on a big screen on Monday at the Rhumbelow Theatre in Umbilo.
“The entire funeral will be screened on the big screen at Rhumbelow Theatre in Umbilo on Monday, 19 September from 9am. Venue opens at 8.30am. Food and coffee will be on sale, with bacon and egg rolls for breakfast, and the bar will be open,” the theatre said.
- The Rhumbelow is at 42 Cunningham Road in Umbilo. For more information about the viewing visit the Rhumbelow’s Facebook page or call 082 499 8636.