'Farewell to a remarkable man and a giant' – saying goodbye to Sfiso Ncwane

09 December 2016 - 21:48 By Kyle Zeeman
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One of my favourite songs by gospel icon Sfiso Ncwane is entitled Kulungile Baba. You may know it? It’s a firm fan favourite. But as I walked into the Grace Bible Church in Soweto on Friday morning, the words of the song stirred deep inside my heart.

I, like much of the nation, was shocked to learn of his death on Monday morning. So, when I was assigned to attend and report on his memorial in Johannesburg I was honoured.

I joined the hundreds of mourners who flooded into the great Grace Bible Church in Pimville, Soweto to be greeted by the sound of his best songs being played over the loud speaker. Even at that moment, I knew that this memorial would be as grand and happy as the stature of the man it was honouring.

  • Inside Sfiso Ncwane’s memorial: A day filled with touching tributes The gospel fraternity in its large numbers and gospel music lovers gathered at the Grace Bible Church in Soweto to bid farewell to Sfiso Ncwane on Friday. 

The ceremony started with a near hour-long praise and worship service that had mourners on their feet from the first moment to the last. There was a gratitude and happiness in the air. But it was mixed with a sadness that hung like a cloud over the great hall. Make no mistake, this was a celebration of a life well lived, but also a longing for a man who had saved the lives of so many through his music.

Nursing a broken heart

The room fell silent as the family, including Sfiso’s widow Ayanda and their children, entered into the hall. It was as if every heart in the room was tied to hers.

It was too much for the young widow as she broke into tears at the tributes being paid on stage. A few minutes later, her youngest son burst into tears uncontrollably, and was taken out of the hall to be comforted. The depth of sorrow was etched on every family member’s face as mourners came in intervals to pay their condolences.

  • WATCH: You gave me the perfect experience of love, says Ayanda Ncwane Tears flowed at the memorial service for Sfiso Ncwane on Friday as a letter penned by his wife, Ayanda was read out on her behalf. 

The ceremony itself was a mix of moving speeches and musical tributes from some of the most popular gospel artists in the country. Every speech sought to bring comfort to Ayanda and her family and occasionally she would brave a small smile to reassure the speaker that it was well received.

The hall fell into a reverent silence when gospel legend Rebecca Malope took to the stage to pay tribute to Sfiso, first through words and then through song. It was as if the audience was paralysed or frozen in time as Rebecca gave her heart and soul into a rendition of To God Be The Glory.  Tears flowed freely as her powerful voice pierced the soul.

A letter from Ayanda

But perhaps the most solemn moment was when a letter from Ayanda to her late husband was read. There was hardly a dry eye in the hall as the young widow spoke of her love for her husband and his impact on the community he served. She commended him for his strength and example, while also gushing over the love he had given her and their children.

She ended her letter by saying that she refused to say goodbye and would instead say “good night” until the morning when they would meet again.

A giant and a gentleman

These were the moments to savour because they were moments that best characterised Sfiso Ncwane.

He was referred to as “a giant” in the tributes given, and truly he was. His life and music helped so many during their dark days, and it was only fitting that his legacy was honoured in such a grand way.

  • Tears roll at service for gospel hitmakerA few minutes before being whisked away from her late husband's memorial service, gospel star Sfiso Ncwane's widow, Ayanda, was overcome by emotion. 

We do not know what will happen in the days that follow his burial on Saturday. How his children and young widow will cope without him. How the nation will cope without their hero. But one thing is for sure, everything will be okay- because Sfiso Ncwane told us so through his music.

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