The South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) on Wednesday said it is mourning the death of flamboyant socialite and broadcaster, Thapelo Lehulere, popularly known as Lara Kruger.
Lara was an immensely popular DJ and while she was biologically male, she identified as a woman.
PR firm Royal Brand Engineers also confirmed her death.
Kruger was born as Thapelo Lehuleri and has said in interviews that from an early age she identified with being a woman.
“I identify as a woman from a social level. I live my life like a woman on a day-to-day basis. But in terms of my ID‚ my driver’s licence and matric certificate and all those documentations of life‚ unfortunately they do still say male because the process [of gender transformation] in our country is not as easy as one may think it is.”
The public broadcaster, in a statement said: “Lara will be remembered for the immense contribution at the SABC as a presenter of Motsweding FM’s weekend show Di direga kae, since joining the station in 2016. Lara’s contribution to the SABC will remain and continue to inspire those who knew her on a personal and professional level.”
The SABC described Lara Kruger as an all-round entertainer and videogrammer on social media platforms, saying she will be deeply missed.
Source: eNCA
