Zamanguni Cynthia Gumede, the mom of Gqom artist Mandla "Mampintsha' Maphumulo was laid to rest in a dignified manner at Redhill Cemetery in Durban by Icebolethu Funerals who volunteered to bury her in style. ?

HER LAST BREATH?

Days after Mampintsha was buried, Zamanguni (65) fell ill and was hospitalized with a stroke and a long-term lung illness. On Sunday, 15 January 2023, the mom of two died while in hospital. Her daughter Pinky Gumede was hoping she would recover, as she was starting to eat and speak again. But on 15 January 2023, she took her last breath.

BEFORE THE FUNERAL?

Family and friends gathered to pay their last respects to the Gumede family. Days before her funeral, there was tension between Babes Wodumo's family and Pinky after she informed ZiMoja that they had not visited her ailing mother at the hospital. The Simelane family informed ZiMoja that they had not been informed about Zamanguni being in the hospital, therefore did not visit. Pinky said her mom died from heartbreak after not being allowed to see her son's corpse at the mortuary before he was buried.?

?THE BURIAL?

But the two families have since made peace inorder to give Zamanguni a dignified funeral. They buried the hatchet and vowed to start on a clean slate. At the funeral service, Babes Wodumo sat side by side with her sister-in-law Pinky Gumede, dressed in a black dress and a red hat they two sat opposite Zamanguni's brown casket at the L Hall, KwaMashu, in KwaZulu-Natal.

Speaking on behalf of the Gumede family, Reta Mkhize remembers Zamanguni as a kind-heartedness person. "We grew up together, I was older than her by two years. She was a straight and honest talker. Nguni had a good heart, and she loved people,' Reta told the crowd of mourners. "Nguni had jokes and was always laughing and happy." Reta complimented her sense of style as a seamstress. "She was great at sewing and made beautiful women's clothes. She loved fashion and did not want to look like anyone else.' Reta added that she visited Zamanguni in the hospital on the night of her passing. "She was forced to speak because she loved people, but she was not breathing well. She wanted cold water, but the nurse wouldn't allow us. She told us she loved us. She said she would wait for her daughter to arrive at the hospital. When they arrived, she screamed for her to hurry and that is when she took her last breath. She died peacefully. She said goodbye to her children and grandchildren.'

?FAMILY PAYS TRIBUTE?

Zamanguni's nieces struggled to hold back the tears as they speak of their late aunt. "I went to see Mamkhulu at the hospital, repeatedly. Things were promising. She said she would be back next week. But she is hone. She loved us,' Nosdoli said. "I now don't have an aunt, but I still have a mother. My aunt taught us the importance of family. When we last visited her, we were laughing and joking. Maybe that was her way of saying goodbye. She asked me to greet Sponge [Babes Wodumo's son] for her. I say rest in peace Mamkhulu.' Zamanguni's other niece said, "She loved us. Even my outfit today was inspired by her. We visited her, and she looked good, even wearing lipstick in the hospital. I am sad, but we will miss you.'

Lebani "Rasta' Sereje gifted Pinky and Babes Wodumo with a portrait of Zamanguni before family and friends moved to the cemetery.