The late Zanele Mbokazi-Nkambule received a jubilant and vibrant send-off from thousands of mourners who gathered at her funeral service at the Durban ICC on Saturday.
She was laid to rest at Mariannhill cemetery in Pinetown. The former Ukhozi FM presenter died on Monday at Parklands hospital from lung cancer.
Musicians, pastors and congregants were in attendance for Mbokazi-Nkambule's send-off. Mourners included Bishop Benjamin Dube, Dr Rebecca Malope, Lindelani Mkhize, Dumi Mkokstad, Dr SD Gumbi and many others.
On the podium Mbokazi-Nkambule's children Yolanda and Mawande expressed their heartbreak over the passing of their mother and reminisced about the good times she shared with them.
Speaking on their behalf, Mbokazi-Nkambule's niece Nonjabulo said: “A long time ago there was Qondi [Nonjabulo's biological mother], she passed away when I was little. Before she died she told me that Aunt Zanele will be there for me, and she took the task of raising me as her child. Mama (Zanele) worked really hard, she trusted me in everything she did.
“I think she trained me for this day, but I was never ready. She was sick. Days before she received her diagnosis I broke my leg. We were chatting on WhatsApp as she was in her room in bed and I was in another room. She told me to work hard, she was crying and told me she is sick,” she said.
Nonjabulo added that two days before her death she remembered that her mom had said Zanele is here for her. In her final moments she kept saying: “Hold me Qondi.”
“That experience tore my heart apart, I could see the worst is about to happen. We have a father and Mama loved him, Mama was obsessed with Baba, if Baba wasn't around, Mama would get annoyed. May Zanele's spirit live on,”
Bishop Dube had comforting words for Mbokazi-Nkambule’s husband. “Thanks for loving this giant. When gospel artists weren't given chairs at some tables, this giant made sure the gospel got the proper recognition. The transition of Zanele means there is eternity. Everyone has an eternity when you are done with this temporary life and my question is where will you spend it? You've got to spend it with God, I just want to encourage somebody here today, make sure you tell God that you want to be with him at all times,” he said.
Music producer Lindelani Mkhize said: “It is touching because of the person she was ... , she has been called, she did her purpose, she's done her journey. A lot of people today have careers and job titles because of her being their midwife and giving them opportunities in life.
“I was close to her family not to her alone, I was making sure how important the gospel awards were to the people.”
Zanele Mbokazi-Nkambule laid to rest
Image: Sandile Ndlovu
The late Zanele Mbokazi-Nkambule received a jubilant and vibrant send-off from thousands of mourners who gathered at her funeral service at the Durban ICC on Saturday.
She was laid to rest at Mariannhill cemetery in Pinetown. The former Ukhozi FM presenter died on Monday at Parklands hospital from lung cancer.
Musicians, pastors and congregants were in attendance for Mbokazi-Nkambule's send-off. Mourners included Bishop Benjamin Dube, Dr Rebecca Malope, Lindelani Mkhize, Dumi Mkokstad, Dr SD Gumbi and many others.
On the podium Mbokazi-Nkambule's children Yolanda and Mawande expressed their heartbreak over the passing of their mother and reminisced about the good times she shared with them.
Speaking on their behalf, Mbokazi-Nkambule's niece Nonjabulo said: “A long time ago there was Qondi [Nonjabulo's biological mother], she passed away when I was little. Before she died she told me that Aunt Zanele will be there for me, and she took the task of raising me as her child. Mama (Zanele) worked really hard, she trusted me in everything she did.
“I think she trained me for this day, but I was never ready. She was sick. Days before she received her diagnosis I broke my leg. We were chatting on WhatsApp as she was in her room in bed and I was in another room. She told me to work hard, she was crying and told me she is sick,” she said.
Nonjabulo added that two days before her death she remembered that her mom had said Zanele is here for her. In her final moments she kept saying: “Hold me Qondi.”
“That experience tore my heart apart, I could see the worst is about to happen. We have a father and Mama loved him, Mama was obsessed with Baba, if Baba wasn't around, Mama would get annoyed. May Zanele's spirit live on,”
Bishop Dube had comforting words for Mbokazi-Nkambule’s husband. “Thanks for loving this giant. When gospel artists weren't given chairs at some tables, this giant made sure the gospel got the proper recognition. The transition of Zanele means there is eternity. Everyone has an eternity when you are done with this temporary life and my question is where will you spend it? You've got to spend it with God, I just want to encourage somebody here today, make sure you tell God that you want to be with him at all times,” he said.
Music producer Lindelani Mkhize said: “It is touching because of the person she was ... , she has been called, she did her purpose, she's done her journey. A lot of people today have careers and job titles because of her being their midwife and giving them opportunities in life.
“I was close to her family not to her alone, I was making sure how important the gospel awards were to the people.”
READ MORE
Mourners gather in honour of Zanele Mbokazi-Nkambule
Durban creatives visit the late Zanele Mbokazi-Nkambule's family
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