Zanele Mbokazi-Nkambule’s children bid farewell to her on Saturday, 17 August at her funeral, which took place at the Durban International Convention Centre.
The 52-year-old broadcaster passed away on Monday, 12 August from lung cancer.
‘ZANELE MBOKAZI HAS ALWAYS BEEN OUR MOTHER’
Nonjabulo Mdluli, who was Zanele Mbokazi-Nkambule’s niece reveals how Mbokazi-Nkambule loved her like a daughter after her biological mother [Qondi] died a few years ago.
“Our mother [Qondi] told Lindo and myself on her deathbed that she was not leaving us alone.”
“When mom [Zanele] was still alive, she’s always been our mother. I think she [Qondi] trained me for this day, but I was never ready.”
“There were signs that Ma-Zanele was leaving. Just a week before she [Zanele] got her diagnosis, I broke my ankle. Mom and I work together, side by side,” says Nonjabulo,
“She would say things like, ‘I’m sick Njabulo.’ And she’d cry, and mom usually never cried, that’s when I knew that she was really sick.”
Mbokazi-Nkambule has two children, Yolanda and Mawande Myeza. However, she had always referred to Mdluli as her daughter. Mdluli was also Mbokazi-Nkambule’s PR manager.
‘CANCER TOOK OUR SISTER AND MOTHER’
Zimoja reports that Zanele Mbokazi-Nkambule’s cousin, Weh Harris revealed at her funeral that the media personality was not the first family member to get diagnosed with cancer.
Harris adds that Mbozaki-Nkambule learned 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.”
“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.”
Harris also says people usually say cancer can be beaten. But Mbokazi-Nkambule’s cancer was in the wrong place. She was diagnosed in the final stage. Cancer is very painful, and she was in pain.
‘SIBONGILE & THE DLAMINIS’ STAR SAYS MOM WAS SUPPORTIVE
The Sibongile & The Dlaminis star Khwezi Myeza, who’s the daughter of the late media personality, Zanele Mbokazi-Nkambule previously revealed to Sunday World that her mother was supportive.
“My parents have always told me I need to live my life. They are big on what you as an individual want to become and making that dream come true. They help by supporting me.”
“It has never been a thing of I did this so you must do that. I have never had that pressure from my parents.”
Myeza added that she was never pushed by Mbokazi-Khambule to get into the entertainment industry.
“My mom was not in acting and when she did radio back then I was not even born. Her having knowledge about the industry did help because it opened my eyes a lot and gave me some sort of comfort.”
