It was meant to be a send-off fit for a king. Instead, the country is arguing about hemlines.
The professional body that represents funeral parlours, undertakers and funeral service providers across the country has come out swinging against a growing trend that has set social media alight — female funeral aides wearing miniskirts and mini-dresses while burying the dead.
The National Funeral Practitioners Association of Southern Africa, known as Nafupa, says the practice is undignified and has no place at a graveside.
The Funeral That Started It All
The row exploded after the funeral of rising maskandi star Sicebi Dlamini, known to his fans as the Gcokama King, which was held in Umsinga last weekend.
The young musician's send-off was handled by Amathole Funerals, a company owned by Vezokuhle Nala. Videos and pictures from the service spread quickly online — but it was not the coffin, the flowers or the music that got people typing.
It was the skirts.
Within hours, a fresh storm was raging across social media platforms, with people fiercely divided over what female funeral staff should and should not wear when they arrive to bury somebody's child, parent or partner.
Praise First, Then The Punch
Nafupa president Muzi Hlengwa did not begin with criticism. He began with applause.
"We first need to congratulate them for delivering such a high-class service. The send-off was dignified and classy," said Hlengwa.
But then came the part that has the industry talking.
Hlengwa said the issue of the miniskirts was like a stain on a white sheet — one small mark that ruins everything around it.
He said wearing miniskirts at funerals was uncalled for, and made it clear that he knew the owner of the funeral company did not encourage his female staff to wear skimpy skirts.
"This Is Not A Feast"
For Hlengwa, the matter comes down to one simple thing — respect.
"Funerals are accorded respect; everybody knows that. It can't be that we can't differentiate between a funeral service and a feast," Hlengwa said.
He said the industry he leads is one where dignity cannot be negotiated away, and that the same rule must apply to how funeral service providers carry themselves in public.
"Whatever we do, we must ensure that we conduct ourselves in a dignified manner at all times," said Hlengwa.
A Call For House Rules
The Nafupa boss said the answer is not to shout at staff on social media. It is for funeral parlour owners to sit down and write clear rules about what is allowed and what is not.
Every business, he said, needs its own list of do's and don'ts.
And he was blunt about where he stands.
"We don't have to see your thighs; what is important is to see your work. You must dress respectfully. When you are skimpily dressed, some people get distracted," he said.
Hlengwa said that in his view, revealing clothing can pull the attention of mourners away from the reason they are there in the first place.
"Imagine if all the men turn around to ogle the thighs," he said.
The Men Are Getting It Right
Hlengwa pointed out that male staff in the funeral industry generally have no problem dressing the part.
Suits. Ties. Polished shoes. Straight faces.
He noted that the male Amathole Funerals staff who worked at Dlamini's funeral were dressed in suits.
Then he made the point that has been quoted and re-quoted since he said it.
"Even a priest, when they see thighs, gets distracted, how much more when there are plenty of women who are skimpily dressed?"
An Offer On The Table
Rather than simply condemning the company, Hlengwa extended an olive branch.
He said that if Nala did not have an issue with the matter, he could invite his staff to training sessions where they would be taught how to conduct themselves appropriately during funerals.
It is an offer that puts the ball firmly in the funeral company's court.
Growing Fast, Watched Closely
Hlengwa was quick to say that he holds no grudge against Amathole Funerals. Quite the opposite.
He said he was pleased to see the company growing in leaps and bounds, and described its success as an inspiration to upcoming funeral parlours trying to make their mark in a tough and crowded industry.
But he was not happy with one thing happening online.
He said he was disappointed by people on social media making unfair comparisons between Amathole Funerals and the Icebolethu Group.
Such comparisons, he said, could create unnecessary controversy and take attention away from the quality of the service that was actually delivered on the day.
Not The Only Ones
It has also been noted that Amathole Funerals is not the only funeral company where female staff wear miniskirts.
The trend has been creeping into the industry for some time, with several companies now sending out teams in tailored short skirts, heels and fitted jackets. Supporters say it looks modern, sharp and professional. Critics say a graveyard is not a runway.
Amathole Funerals could not be reached for comment on the matter.
What Happens Now
The funeral industry in this country is enormous. Burials are big business, and competition between parlours is fierce. Companies fight for attention with gleaming hearses, matching uniforms, drone footage and perfectly choreographed processions.
But this week, that fight for attention has run headlong into a much older question: how do you dress when you are standing next to a grieving family?
Nafupa has now made its position clear. The dress code debate is no longer a comment section argument. It is an industry matter.
And the next time a funeral procession pulls up outside a home, the country will be watching a lot more than just the coffin.
