Lomu ‘must have headstone’
Chart-toppering R&B brothers Nainz and Viiz Tupa’i of Adeaze fame are planning a concert for their “South Auckland hero” Jonah Lomu.
Funds from the show — being organised as the second anniversary of the star former All Black’s death looms — could be donated towards a headstone, memorial plaque or a statue “that is fitting for Jonah, our rugby legend”, Nainz says in a social media post.
The award-winning singer was moved after reading last weekend’s Herald on Sunday story about Lomu’s grave still not having a headstone, and the on-going rift between Lomu’s widow, Nadene, and the Lomu family.
“We cannot sit back and know that 2 years has gone past, and this GREAT LEGEND still has no headstone,” he wrote.
International players and fans want to visit New Zealand and Tonga’s most influential rugby player, he added and “I would be ashamed at what they see”.
Being able to visit a headstone meant a lot for Pasifika people, he said. Nainz made a public plea to “our muso friends” to help out with a “venue, sound gear and artists to give their time”.
Lomu’s brother John said he was “blown away” by Adeaze’s kind gesture. “A lot of people have sent me kind wishes of support,” he said.
Adeaze manager Becks Tupa’i said the crew wanted to do something positive for the family and to honour Lomu’s memory.
Lomu, who died of a heart attack after a long battle with renal failure, had struck up a friendship with the Tupa’i brothers, bonding over music. Nadene asked them sing Chicago’s You’re My Inspiration at Jonah’s public memorial at Eden Park.