On Saturday, August 17, friends and family gathered at the Durban International Convention Centre to bid a poignant farewell to Zanele Mbokazi-Nkambule, a celebrated broadcaster and the beloved mother of actress Khwezi Myeza. The atmosphere was heavy with grief as her children, including Yolanda and Mawande Myeza, alongside relatives and friends, paid tribute to a remarkable woman who left an indelible mark on those who knew her.
Zanele, only 52 years old at the time of her passing, succumbed to lung cancer on August 12, a diagnosis that shocked many as it was revealed she learned of her illness in its final stages. This tragic news was shared during the funeral by her cousin, Weh Harris, who noted that Zanele was not the only family member to face the formidable battle against cancer.
Among those most affected by Zanele’s death is her niece, Nonjabulo Mdluli, who spoke candidly about the profound bond she shared with her aunt. “Our mother [Qondi] told Lindo and myself on her deathbed that she was not leaving us alone,” Nonjabulo recounted, emphasizing that Zanele had stepped in to fill the maternal void left by her biological mother’s passing several years prior. “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.”
Zanele Mbokazi’s children say:
“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.”
The weeks leading up to Zanele’s death were marked by subtle signs of her declining health, which did not go unnoticed by her family. Nonjabulo reported that one week before receiving her diagnosis, she suffered an unsettling injury: a broken ankle. In the days that followed, Zanele began to express her feelings of illness, revealing vulnerability through tears—a rare occurrence for someone typically strong and composed. “She would say things like, ‘I’m sick Njabulo,’ and she’d cry,” Nonjabulo shared, a haunting reminder of the severity of Zanele’s condition.
Zanele’s legacy extends beyond her role as a mother and aunt; she was also the PR manager for Nonjabulo, showcasing their close professional and personal relationship. In the eyes of her family, Zanele was not just an influential figure in the broadcasting industry; she was a guiding force, a source of love, and an unwavering support system.