Mkhombe advised on challenges facing Eswatini
MBABANE – Some of the political challenges engulfing the country have been blamed on the failure to heed the advice of the late Sam Mkhombe.
Mkhombe is said to have suggested the inclusion of political formations in governance.
The International Body of Elders (IBE) in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) representative, Nkosikhona Simelane, said this during Mkhombe’s funeral service held at Mbangweni in the Shiselweni Region.
Visionary
Simelane said the late Mkhombe was a visionary man, especially in the political sphere.
He said he tried to advise the country on political transformation, which was now being witnessed. He said government failed to heed his advice on accommodating political movements while the Monarch was still in power.
He described Mkhombe as one of the icons and an elder of the church.
Simelane said the late Mkhombe walked with integrity and above all he was a man of his words. He further revealed that he played a major role which led to him getting the status of being an icon and an elder.
“To name someone an icon and an elder comes with responsibilities. At the Free Evangelical Church, we do not consider your age to call you an elder. Mkhombe left a mark in the body of Christ and beyond. He was always found in church doing church activities,” said Simelane.
Mkhombe was also described by his children as man who was always strict to things that concerned God. Nonduduzo, Mkhombe’s eldest child, said her father would switch off the television set when it was time for prayer. She, however, made a promise that they (Nonduduzo, Nosisa and Mbonisi) would continue with their father’s legacy of serving the
Lord in truth and in spirit.
“We will continue where he left off in our own unique way. We will stick together as his family. When our father was sick, he would tell us that God would heal him in due course. He played his part in taking good care of us and our mother (Nomsa Mkhombe),” she said.
Nonduduzo also revealed that his father passed away just before they were planning to take him outside the country for medical attention. She said God decided to take him before August where he was supposed to be taken out of the country.
Other speakers stated that Mkhombe chose to have one wife, although he had an opportunity of being in a polygamous marriage, which was a sign that he was truly in love with his wife (Nomsa).
Model
Mkhombe was further described as a role model for young people in the church. It was revealed that he gave young people the chance to tell him whatever was troubling them either good or bad. Olah Ndlangamandla, a relative to the deceased, stated that such dedication was proof that he was indeed a child of God. She further stated that Mkhombe laid his life low just for the benefit of others.
A representative from the Nzunza family said Mkhombe was not replaceable due to the position he held in church and the legacy he left in society. Ntfombiyelwandle Mkhatshwa, Mkhombe’s relative, said she was running short for words on what was happening to the family. While weeping, Mkhatshwa in vernacular said; “Itolo bengilapha, namuhla ngilapha, kubi boMkhombe”. She then told the family that God was still on the throne despite the test they were going through.
Testimony
Pastor Cinisela Dlamini of the Evangelical Church, Nhlangano Branch, said Mkhombe’s life was a living testimony. Dlamini preached the Word of God under the theme, ‘In the mist of flawless world, God’s ways are still perfect.’ He then read from the book of Psalms 18 verse 30-36 and Romans 8 verse 28 which reads, “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.”
Dlamini told the Mkhombe family and the entire congregation that God allowed such situations to happen for a particular reason. He also told them that God sets time for everything, and, therefore, everyone must live it to the fullest like David whom he said the Bible indicated that he lived his years and then rested.