Manzini Choir honours the departed
MANZINI – An event synonymous with sorrow and grief over departed loved ones was a combination of tears and laughter.
This best describes the moving Manzini Choir Great Memorial Service of the late choir members as well as the members’ relatives.
They were remembered and celebrated at the St George’s and James Cathedral in Manzini on Saturday.
The service was nothing short of moving as it was characterised by touching performances by the choir and speeches
Doyen of Choral music and Manzini Choir member Cosmo Nkonyane. of the memories of departed heroes in the choir. The choir members could not hold back tears as they rendered emotional and harmonious performances of music to remember their late fellow members and relatives. In turn, the audience responded to the compelling performances.
Manzini Choir Chairperson Mlamuli Mbukeni Hlatshwayo alluded to that the past two and a half years had not been kind as some choir members were lost and a lot of them had lost loved ones.
“It is the choir’s mandate that if one of us is bereaved due to the loss of a loved one, we support each other. It has been extremely unfortunate given the circumstances of
Manzini Choir Chairman Mbukeni Hlatshwayo making his remarks. everything that has been happening in the world, that we have not been able to convene and do what we do best in music,” the chairperson said.
For this reason, he mentioned that the choir hosted the ceremony to honour their fallen heroes and loved ones of those who were dear to their hearts.
Honour
Hlatshwayo said a choir as old as Manzini Choir, formed in 1976, surely had a lot of active and associate members, and the ceremony encompassed them as well, to honour them.
On another note, Hlatshwayo extended his appreciation to the Anglican Church,
Zanele Nkabinde speaking on behalf of deceased choir member Thenjiwe’s family. on behalf of the choir, for granting them permission to host the ceremony at the church.
Meanwhile, Doyen of Choral music and member of the Manzini Choir Cosmo Nkonyane, expressed that this was a great memorable service because the choir had lost numerous members. He said the memorial service was befitting to honour them.
Nkonyane commended that the choir was still on its feet since it was established in 1976. He shared that they had been suggesting that it should be institutionalised as it was one of the oldest after Asihlabelele Choir, which was then called Novelo
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Mr Ransely Nkosi Mr Vusi Mathew Dlamini
Father to
Choir. He advised the leadership of the choir to keep going as it not only belonged to them but everyone. He elaborated that if anything happened to a fellow choir member, it affected everyone.
Nkonyane also encouraged the choir to remain united and keep up the spirit of brotherhood.
Zanele Nkabinde, who is a sister to deceased Thenjiwe Malaza, appreciated the choir for putting together a moving service to honour the memory of their loved ones.
She said this was a great way to heal their wounds and also celebrate the lives of their loved ones.
Preceding this, the Word of God was shared by Anglican Pastor Hlophe, who shared scriptures in line with the heroes of faith.
The ceremony ended with a candle lighting ceremony in honour of the departed.
LATE CHOIR MEMBERS AND MEMBERS OF THE ANGLICAN CHURCH
Mr Sonnyboy Shongwe Mr Mduduzi Mbhamali of Matsapha Gospel Messengers
Mrs Simelane – mother to Nosiphiwo Simelane Ms Shiba – Mother to Thabiso Shiba
Mr Manyatsi - Father to Sfiso Manyatsi
Mr Msibi – Father to Mduduzi Msibi
Mr Dlaimini –
Ray Dlamini
Mr Ms Mamba – Mother to Bongekile Mamba Ms Dlamini - Mother to Thobile Dlamini (alto) Mr Simelane – Father to Sydney Simelane
Mrs Maziya – Wife to Sabelo Maziya
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Mrs Nobantu Sibanyoni Ms Thenjiwe Malaza
DECEASED MEMBERS FROM OTHER DENOMINATIONS
Ms Faith Shabalala Khumalo Ms Olympia Dlamini Ms Nonhlanhla Khumalo
RELATIVES WHO PASSED ON DURING LOCKDOWN
Mr Nkambule – Father to Kwanele Nkambule
Mrs Sihlongonyane – Mother to Thuli Sihlongonyane
Mrs Mandlazi – Mother to Jockonias and Sipho Mandlazi
Mr Siza Ngwenya – Husband to Eunice Ngwenya Ms Dlamini - Mother to Nontobeko Dlamini Maloisane Putsoa - Son to Dr Bongi Putsoa
Mr Sithole - Father to Cedusizi Sithole
Mrs Mthethwa- Mother to Ncamisile Mthethwa