Beautiful, kind, and intelligent. These were the words used by mourners to describe broadcaster, businesswoman, author, and mother Zanele Mbokazi-Nkambule during her funeral service at the Durban International Conference Centre. The 52-year-old succumbed to a battle with lung cancer in the early hours of Monday morning at Parklands Hospital in Durban.
GOODBYE
Mourners bid farewell to the Ukhozi FM radio host and Crown Gospel Awards founder, dressed in white, while the venue was filled with white roses. Zanele's cousin, Weh Harris, shared a brief history of their family lineage. "Zanele's mom is a Harris who is the daughter of Biyela. When we share our history, they say our history dates back to Mozambique and Zanzibar, but we are all born here,' Weh said. "Zanele was beautiful; she got her beauty and intellect from the Harris family.' They remember her love for beautiful things. "Our family first stepped into the ICC because of her awards. We are a big family, and she made us all attend; she made us VIPs and important.
SHE FOUGHT
Weh said Zanele learnt she had cancer at the final stages of her illness. "We don't want to hear the word cancer at home. It took our sister, as well as our mother. I ask that you pray for us so it does not continue to take our family members,' Weh said. "But by the grace of God, we pray that it doesn't take any more of our family members. Zanele was in pain; she struggled. She fought and tried to be strong. But we thank her husband Bishop Nkambule, because people did not understand why they disclosed her condition and diagnoses. But we are happy he did because he gave people a chance to pray for her, and she received love and support.' Weh said in many cases, when a person is ill, they suffer alone. "But she felt the love and support. Her colleagues and friends got a chance to show their support. She died knowing how much she was loved. She felt the love and support in her last days.' Weh adds that people usually say cancer can be beaten. "But hers was in the wrong place. She was diagnosed in the final stage. Cancer is very painful, and she was in pain,' he added.
INTERNATIONAL
Multi Crown Gospel Award winner Dumi Mkokstad gave a moving tribute in song. Programme director Siya Mhlongo, who worked closely with Zanele, recalled how she brought international acts to the country through the Crown Gospel Awards. "In 2010, Shirley Ceasar was on this stage because of Zanele; Donny Mclaren and Cece Wynans were on the Crown Gospel stage because of Zanele. Zanele was sweet and beautiful and always had a smile, but she will tell you where to get off,' Siya said, adding that they have had a fight about money, and she told him that one day they must close each other up in the office and argue - in the name of Jesus. The Roman Catholic Church where Zanele worshipped while growing up said, "She did not require a fancy position or fancy title to empower the people of God. Her obsession was not about titles but how to better help and care for other people. She treated people equally, irrespective of social or economic condition.'
