Founder and executive producer of the Crown Gospel Music Awards Zanele Mbokazi-Nkambule
- Zanele Mbokazi-Nkambule’s memorial service was held Thursday at the GNF in Durban.
- Her husband, Bishop Mpendulo Nkambule, and her daughters paid her a moving tribute.
- Mbokazi died after a brief battle with cancer in the early hours of Monday.
On Thursday, friends, family and industry colleagues gathered at GNF in Durban to commemorate the life of author, broadcaster and Crown Gospel founder Zanele Mbokazi-Nkambule.
Her daughters, Yolanda Myeza and Nonjabulo Mdluli, expressed how they were loved by their mom and how losing her felt like a nightmare.
Mbokazi-Nkambule has two children, Yolanda and Mawande Myeza. However, she had always referred to Mdluli as her daughter.
The daughters thanked those who had shown them love since their mother’s diagnosis, right down to the planning of the services (memorial and funeral)
“Even when she was no more, we felt love, already on Monday, when she recently passed on, but her memorial service and funeral service were already sorted,” said Myeza.
She added that although they were very hurt, they had been taught to be steadfast in prayer and faith.
“Even in this situation, when you close your eyes and pray and try to pray but no words come, we still come before the Lord, and we are still kneeling at His altar because He knows our hearts. Si limele (we are hurt). To say otherwise would be an absolute lie.”
Earlier in the year, Bishop Nkambule and Ukhozi FM business manager Sbongi Ngcobo announced that Mbokazi had been diagnosed with lung cancer. The announcement was made following speculation about her health and absence from the airwaves.
“This is a nightmare, and I can’t wait to just wake up from it,” said Mdluli
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Mdluli was Mbokazi-Nkambule’s PR manager, and she told the mourners gathered that her mother had always been transparent with her.
“Our mother loved us a lot and would make sure we felt it no matter where she was. She was my literal best friend. She trusted me with everything. From the smallest of things, she would call me and send me emails; whatever decision Ma had to make, she would call me. I didn’t do anything without her approval, and she would make sure that she pushed me to be great.”
Mdluli said there were signs that Mbokazi-Nkamble would die because she confided with her about certain things.
“We are going to miss every single detail about her, but we will make it. Our dad is here, so we will be okay.”
Mbokazi Nkambule’s husband, Bishop Mpendulo Nkambule, thanked the men of the cloth who attended the memorial service and those who had supported them since the news of her death was announced.
“I want to recognise all the family members here; thank you for the support. I want to appreciate the Mbokazis for this beautiful human being and soul, Zanele Mbokazi-Nkambule, who is my wife and is now departed to be with the Lord; I want to thank you have been really good to me.”
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Nkambule expressed his gratitude to his children.
“I was very blessed that I came into their lives, and they are beautiful children. Not even one day that they ever disrespected me; they have honoured me, loved me, respected me and celebrated me. They are the most beautiful children that you could ever ask for,” he said.
He told their three children that their mother had taught them faith, the foundation of wisdom, and encouraged them to maintain and uphold this faith.
Nkambule said his wife was a wonderful, beautiful, passionate, and dedicated soul who did everything to the best of her ability.
“It’s unbelievable that she is gone; I know I was blessed; all of you know I was blessed. I thank God for giving me the opportunity to live with his child. I tried my best not only to say that I love her, but to show her too.”
He said that in the weeks when his wife was unwell, she had expressed her gratitude for everything.
“She was my rock, anchor, and best friend; she was the ambience of my heart.”
The bishop broke down, sharing how he had lost so many family members and that his wife was his everything.
I loved her so much, with everything in me. Thank you for coming, and thank you for loving her. Thank you for showing us love and showing up when we needed you all. I’m not sad; I’m just in pain; my heart is shattered into pieces. I’m going to miss this girl for a lifetime.
Zanele Mbokazi-Nkambule funeral service will take place on Saturday at the Durban International Convention Centre from 09:00, before she is laid to rest in Mariannhill, Pinetown.
