PHUMZILE Mpondo, one of the Eastern Cape residents who was killed in the Nigeria building collapse, was described at an emotional farewell at Cambridge Cemetery yesterday, as a business-minded youngster who loved God.
Phumzile, also known as Mbulelo and passionately nicknamed “Sgcogco”, was laid to rest at the cemetery yesterday. The 29-year-old leaves behind his father, Mahlubandile, sisters Sanele Mpondo and Nalita Nayo and mother Noluntu Malova.
He was among 12 people from the Eastern Cape who died in the building collapse about two months ago, when a guesthouse accommodating foreign visitors to charismatic faith healer TB Joshua’s Synagogue Church of All Nations in Lagos, collapsed.
A total of 74 people from South Africa were killed during the incident. Speaking to the Saturday Dispatch at the cemetery, his emotional father said the family was relieved that they had finally laid his son to rest. “It took a long time waiting for him to return home. We are really grateful for the support from government and to God to make it possible that we can today bury our son.”
Before the procession to the cemetery, mourners gathered at Mdantsane’s NU15 Hall to share their final moments with Phumzile.
Mdantsane businessman Thobile Madyaka said he was with Phumzile when the structure collapsed.
“I was just chatting with him about why he did not make a chair available for me next to him. He was seated at the front row. He always said he wanted God’s deliverance and would speak about his mother a lot.”
Madyaka said Phumzile was business-minded, a sentiment which was echoed by Alfred Mtsi, ANC MPL and chair of chairs at the Bhisho Legislature.
Mtsi said Phumzile was an intern in the supply chain management section at the provincial legislature and was known for his innovative ideas.
Mtsi said before his death, Phumzile was about to discuss ideas on how to expand his business with his former supervisor at the legislature. He said Phumzile represented an ideal of a calibre of youth needed in the country.
“It is clear that he was not just a churchgoer but a true believer in God. He left behind a legacy in the legislature by the way he lived his life and by making a choice to go to church. He departed in church like a true soldier in the war,” Mtsi said.
A representative from TB Joshua’s Synagogue Church of All Nations said he had been sent by Joshua to deliver a comforting message that family and friends need not mourn but celebrate the life of Phumzile.
“Believers do not die but live an eternal afterlife with God. He had been called by God,” he said. — msindisif@dispatch.co.za
'Just thankful we could bury our son'
Phumzile, also known as Mbulelo and passionately nicknamed “Sgcogco”, was laid to rest at the cemetery yesterday. The 29-year-old leaves behind his father, Mahlubandile, sisters Sanele Mpondo and Nalita Nayo and mother Noluntu Malova.
He was among 12 people from the Eastern Cape who died in the building collapse about two months ago, when a guesthouse accommodating foreign visitors to charismatic faith healer TB Joshua’s Synagogue Church of All Nations in Lagos, collapsed.
A total of 74 people from South Africa were killed during the incident. Speaking to the Saturday Dispatch at the cemetery, his emotional father said the family was relieved that they had finally laid his son to rest. “It took a long time waiting for him to return home. We are really grateful for the support from government and to God to make it possible that we can today bury our son.”
Before the procession to the cemetery, mourners gathered at Mdantsane’s NU15 Hall to share their final moments with Phumzile.
Mdantsane businessman Thobile Madyaka said he was with Phumzile when the structure collapsed.
“I was just chatting with him about why he did not make a chair available for me next to him. He was seated at the front row. He always said he wanted God’s deliverance and would speak about his mother a lot.”
Madyaka said Phumzile was business-minded, a sentiment which was echoed by Alfred Mtsi, ANC MPL and chair of chairs at the Bhisho Legislature.
Mtsi said Phumzile was an intern in the supply chain management section at the provincial legislature and was known for his innovative ideas.
Mtsi said before his death, Phumzile was about to discuss ideas on how to expand his business with his former supervisor at the legislature. He said Phumzile represented an ideal of a calibre of youth needed in the country.
“It is clear that he was not just a churchgoer but a true believer in God. He left behind a legacy in the legislature by the way he lived his life and by making a choice to go to church. He departed in church like a true soldier in the war,” Mtsi said.
A representative from TB Joshua’s Synagogue Church of All Nations said he had been sent by Joshua to deliver a comforting message that family and friends need not mourn but celebrate the life of Phumzile.
“Believers do not die but live an eternal afterlife with God. He had been called by God,” he said. — msindisif@dispatch.co.za
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