MESSAGE OF CONDOLENCE FROM
PRINCE MANGOSUTHU BUTHELEZI MP
GRANDFATHER OF PRINCESS LATOYA BUTHELEZI
READ ON HIS BEHALF BY
PRINCESS PHUMZILE BUTHELEZI MPL
My heart breaks today for my granddaughter, Princess Latoya Buthelezi, who has lost her father. I am grateful that her eldest aunt, Princess Phumzile is able to be with her as Mr Thabani Ngema is laid to rest. I have asked my daughter to bring you this message, so that I might express my condolences even though I cannot be present.
The loss of Mr Ngema is a blow to his whole family. On behalf of my wife and I, and our family, I extend our support and sympathy. We will grieve with you, for this loss touches us all.
I want to thank the Ngema family for writing to inform us. My granddaughter received the news upon her arrival in South Africa. By coincidence, she had planned a visit at just this time. I am somewhat comforted to know that she is close to home, and I pray that the support of her family will cushion the blow. It was a life-changing moment when she lost her mother in 2008, and I have no doubt that becoming an orphan will have a deep impact on her.
But this is the beauty of family. God knows to place us in the midst of people who love us. As we mourn Thabani’s passing, we are not alone, for there are uncles and aunts and grandparents and siblings who rally around us and share our grief. I felt that support when we lost Princess Lethuxolo, and I trust that the Ngema family will feel it now. We extend the same condolences to the Kweyama family.
My daughter Princess Lethuxolo and Mr Thabani Ngema produced a wonderful child, and for that I will always be grateful. Thabani gave us Latoya and his genes run in her blood. He must have been exceptionally proud of her, not only because of her successful music career, but because of her courage to stand up for worthy causes. She is an ambassador of UNICEF and actively supports the campaign to save wild rhino.
That heart for making a difference must have been born from her parents. I therefore honour Mr Ngema today. We thank the Lord for his life, and we pray that he will now rest in peace. May the Lord comfort our families.