Honouring Thando's Life:
We have been deeply moved by the tremendous support we have received since Thando's passing. We are so grateful for your condolences, stories, photos, and gifts in his honor. We have been in the process of developing plans for initiatives to be named in Thando’s honour that will further support KYP’s mission. These projects will build on his passions, and create a lasting impact in the lives of our young people. These initiatives will include:
Thando Bezana Art and Music Studio:
We are renovating a building on our campus that will become a dedicated studio named for Thando, giving our children a space to explore their creativity and talents.
Thando Bezana Performing Stage:
We will be upgrading the current stage area at our center in a manner that will allow our performing artists to be seen, heard, and express themselves even more clearly than before and in a way worthy of their talents and hard work. These upgrades will include a dedicated sound system, lighting, projection tools, and other elements that would make Thando proud. The stage where he nurtured and celebrated our performers will also bear his name, ensuring his spirit always remains at this hub of KYP.
Thando Bezana Memorial Scholarship:
Thando was an inspiring tour guide who mentored many young people, several of whom chose to join the profession because of his passion for connecting with visitors. To honour his legacy, we will establishing a scholarship to enable aspiring tour guides to pursue the studies that will allow them to join South Africa’s field professional guides.
Through these initiatives, we will keep Thando’s memory alive and ensure that his legacy continues to uplift and empower generations to come. If you wish to contribute towards these initiatives to honour our brother, please make your donation through Omprakash, and indicate in the notes field that you would like your contribution to support the “Thando Fund”.
Memorial:
Wednesday, 3 September, 15h-18h SAST
KYP's Facebook Page for Livestream
Zoom broadcast of Thando's Memorial passcode: Thando
We know that it won't be possible, though, for so many of you around the world who loved Thando to be with us in person, and we want to make sure that you are able to join us virtually. We are planning to broadcast the memorial live on our Facebook page, and on Zoom.
Funeral:
Saturday, 6 September, 08h00 SAST, KYP Center, Kliptown
The service is scheduled for approximately 3 hours. It will be followed by the burial at 11. Following the burial, we will reconvene at the KYP Center for a feast in Thando’s honor.
Thanduxolo Bezana, 1986-2025
It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved KYP Co-Founder, Stakeholders Manager, and dedicated member of our Management Team, Thanduxolo Bezana.
For 18 years, Thando devoted himself to the Kliptown Youth Program, serving not only as a founder and manager but also as a Performing Arts Director and a guiding pillar.
His leadership, passion, and unwavering commitment have left a lasting mark on KYP and the community he so dearly loved. His presence will continue to be felt, and he will be missed deeply by all of us.
We extend our heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, and the entire KYP family during this difficult time.
May his soul rest in eternal peace.
Thando’s Legacy:
Thando’s deep impact on each of us is something we will carry with us our whole lives. We want to honor his life and the positivity he embodied in ways that would make him smile. We know that the ways we can do that are as numerous as the friends he made around the world. Here are a few ways we think he would feel honored. And we would love to hear from you about your ideas on how to continue to keep Thando’s great spirit alive.
Share: We are so grateful for your kind messages as we mourn our devastating loss. Your wonderful notes of condolence, fond memories, and the many photos of him with all of you, mean so much to us. Please continue to share your memories of Thando by whatever means make the most to you.
Contribute: we are currently discussing ways in which to honor Thando here at KYP. In the meantime, we know that many people would love to contribute to KYP in honor his life. If you would like to make a donation in support of KYP programs in Thando’s honor, please contribute through Omprakash We will be in touch with more details soon once we have had a chance to formally honor Thando’s legacy here at KYP. If you have questions or ideas about other ways in which you might like to help, please reach out to us at info@kliptownyouthprogram.org.za.
Important update on donations made in honour of Thando:
We’re so grateful to all of you who donated in Thando’s honour since his passing.
We must clarify a point from our original email announcement that suggested donors could allocate their gift to funeral expenses and/or to Thando’s family. We are not able to allocate funds to either of those initiatives via One World Children’s Fund, one of our U.S. fiscal sponsors. One World does not fiscally sponsor these types of gifts.
In our grief, we mistakenly indicated that funds to support funeral expenses or Thando’s family could be donated to KYP through One World Children’s Fund (OWCF). We sincerely apologize, as OWCF can only accept donations that directly support KYP’s mission and programs.
We also want to share some important updates regarding Thando’s family and funeral expenses:
A few years ago, KYP’s board approved a “Provident Fund,” a life insurance benefit for all staff members. This benefit will now support Thando’s family and, thankfully, will provide them with financial security for the foreseeable future.
Through non-OWCF contributions, we have already received enough support to fully cover Thando’s funeral expenses.
We are aware that some friends are still making donations specifically for funeral expenses. By sending this message to everyone, we hope to kindly advise that no further contributions for funeral costs are needed.
If you made a donation in Thando’s honour and indicated that your intention was that the funds go to support funeral expenses or Thando’s family:
All donations given through OWCF must and will go directly to sustaining KYP’s mission and advancing the programmatic initiatives we are developing in Thando’s name, as is mandated by our fiscal sponsorship agreement with OWCF.
Please email to let us know whether your preference is:
Refund: OWCF can refund your donation
Redirect: You may choose to have your full donation redirected to KYP’s programs in Thando’s honour.
If we do not hear from you, we will assume you are comfortable with your gift being applied toward the general support of KYP’s work.
If you were among the friends who intended for your gift to go toward funeral or memorial expenses, please accept our heartfelt apology.