Sombre farewell in the rain for superstar
S’fiso Ncwane laid to rest in Botha’s Hill
THE white arch of Moses Mabhida Stadium was the perfect place to give S’fiso Ncwane his final send-off.
It matched the white coffin brought into the stadium in a white hearse escorted by luxury white vehicles with personalised Ncwane plates.
The white showed up against the sombre grey clouds and rain in Durban.
As Ncwane’s coffin was carried onto the stage, his gospel song Kulungile Baba played.
His widow, Ayanda, and one of their sons, Ngcweti, comforted one another in their grief.
The pallbearers included ANC treasurer-general Zweli Mkhize and KwaZulu-Natal ANC chairman and economic development MEC Sihle Zikalala. Agriculture and Forestry Deputy Minister Bheki Cele was in tow.
About 10 000 mourners broke into Ncwane’s gospel songs.
Ncwane was described as the Michael Jackson of gospel music, a superstar who was humble.
Also attending were two of President Jacob Zuma’s wives: Tobeka Madiba-Zuma and the ANC leader’s estranged wife, Nompumelelo Ntuli-Zuma. Arts and Culture Minister Nathi Mthethwa, gospel singers and TV and radio personalities were also at the funeral ceremony.
Ncwane was buried at the Lala Kahle Memorial Park in Botha’s Hill, west of Durban. It was owned by the late Don Mkhwanazi.
Ncwane’s family said this week that the singer had made peace with his mother before he died.
The singer had fallen out with his 61-year-old mother, Fikile Ncwane, following comments she made about his gift of a Mercedes SUV, worth almost R2-million, to Rock of Victory Ministries Reverend Francis Anosike.
Fikile told the Daily Sun in 2015 that she had an “empty fridge” and that her son and his wife did not support her financially.
“My mother is not equipped to speak to the media and could have been misquoted, but I will always be at peace with my mother,” Ncwane said at the time.
Gugu Ncwane, 41, who is the eldest of the four siblings, said his brother and their mother had settled their differences.
“S’fiso did support our mother but when he absconded for a few months, he did put my mother, who earns a pension, under financial strain.
“But this is all in the past. My brother loved his family and always supported my mother. It’s going to be tough not having him around,” said Gugu.
“S’fiso was last here in October. He passed by on his way to a show and brought groceries and gifts, like any child does when they visit their families after not seeing them for a while.”
Fikile and Ayanda were seen together at the memorial service held in Durban on Thursday.
Ayanda paid a tribute to him, read by her sister Lerato Gumede.
“Who am I to pressure God after I have seen him through you my love,” said her tribute.
“I am truly honoured to serve in the ministry, even more honoured to be chosen and trusted by God to share everything with you.
“The abundant love and amount of respect and honour you gave me as your wife.”
She said she was one of the privileged who could brag about their life together.
“You gave me a once-in-a-lifetime experience kind of love. You made me feel and treated me like a princess and a queen all in once.
“You declared me the most beautiful woman you ever laid your eyes on.
“I have no doubt in my mind that your departure was a secret plan between you and God. He wanted to crown you in heaven as clean of heart and as purehearted as you are.”
Ncwane told Move magazine that he had suffered from depression following the criticism
S’fiso passed by and brought groceries and gifts, like any child does Ayanda was smart and she wanted to build her husband
of him over the gift of the car.
This was one of many illnesses the musician battled, according to his mentor and former manager Tshepo Nzimande.
He said Ncwane had suffered from tuberculosis in 2004 and had also been struck by lightning, which caused the singer co-ordination problems on his left side.
Early last year Ncwane told Destiny magazine he had had a heart attack and also collapsed twice before seeing a doctor.
“When I was finally taken to hospital, the doctors told me there was nothing they could do for me and that I was going to die,” Ncwane said.
The Ncwane couple were well known for their close relationship and regularly posted pictures of themselves, in matching outfits, on social media.
They had been together for 14 years and started dating a year after Ncwane released his first album, Makadunyiswe, after being signed by Nzimande’s recording label Zuzmuzi Music.
They were married in 2007 and were inseparable. Together they owned Ncwane Communications.
Nzimande credited Ayanda with Ncwane’s success because “she made it her job to make her husband a brand and business”.
He said: “As men we tend to be silly when money starts rolling in. We buy fancy cars, get girls and forget that we have to invest in tomorrow, but Ayanda was smart and she wanted to build her husband and she deserves credit.”