The late Zanele Mbokazi-Nkambule, beloved former Ukhozi FM presenter, was laid to rest on Saturday at Mariannhill Cemetery in Pinetown, following a vibrant and heartfelt funeral service held at the Durban ICC. According to TshisaLIVE, the service drew thousands of mourners who gathered to celebrate her life and legacy, after she passed away on Monday at Parklands Hospital due to lung cancer.
The send-off was attended by a host of notable figures from the music and religious communities, including Bishop Benjamin Dube, Dr. Rebecca Malope, Lindelani Mkhize, Dumi Mkokstad, and Dr. SD Gumbi. The atmosphere was filled with both sorrow and celebration as musicians, pastors, and congregants came together to honor a woman who had touched so many lives.
On the podium, Mbokazi-Nkambule’s children, Yolanda and Mawande, expressed their profound grief over the loss of their mother, reminiscing about the cherished moments they shared with her. Speaking on their behalf, her niece Nonjabulo shared a deeply personal reflection: “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.”
Nonjabulo’s emotions were palpable as she recounted her final conversations with Zanele, saying, “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.” The memory of those final moments is something Nonjabulo will carry with her forever, especially when Zanele, in her last days, whispered, “Hold me Qondi.”
Bishop Dube offered comforting words to Mbokazi-Nkambule’s grieving husband, praising him for the love and support he gave her throughout their life together. “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 urged.
Music producer Lindelani Mkhize also paid tribute, reflecting on Zanele’s immense impact on the lives and careers of countless individuals. “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.”
As the mourners bid their final farewell, it was clear that Zanele Mbokazi-Nkambule’s legacy would live on, not just through her family but also through the countless lives she touched and the gospel music industry she helped shape.
