The Sunday Mail
GOSPEL sensation Sfiso Ncwane’s mother Fikile was so shocked by her son’s sudden death, she immediately took ill and had to be rushed to hospital last Monday. She was later discharged.
While his family have been left in total shock after his unexpected passing, it has brought condolences and praise of his abilities from diverse voices far and wide.
The 37-year-old award-winning singer died last Monday morning of complications related to kidney failure. He had been rushed to Life Fourways Hospital the night before.
His long-time friend, now spokesperson for the Ncwane family, Sipho Makhabane, became emotional as he told The Star about his friend being “unable to hold on”.
Preparing to perform at a Kaya FM Soul-Inspired concert in Roodepoort on Sunday, Ncwane was too weak to go on stage, and was taken back to his home.
It was around 6pm on Sunday that Ncwane’s wife Ayanda had to summon paramedics to take him to Life Fourways Hospital, where it was determined that his kidneys had failed.
“On Monday, before long, he was gone,” said Makhabane, who said Ayanda was by his side until the end.
“We lost a giant, a role model of the music industry. The only thing we can do is pick up the pieces and move forward. We just ask fellow Africans to pray for him and his family.”
His distraught sister, Gugulethu Ncwane, speaking to The Star at a family home in Emalangeni on the KwaZulu-Natal South Coast, said they had received news that Ncwane had passed away on Monday morning.
“We were told that he had suffered breathing problems and was rushed to hospital, where he passed away. He was not sick at all, he was fine. It was all very sudden,” she said.
“He was everything to us, we have lost everything. He was very popular. Every time he was here the yard would be packed full of people,” said Gugulethu.
“He was an open book, as he never kept anything bottled up inside. We have lost so much,” she said as she tried to control her grief and tears.
By afternoon, news had filtered down to the community in Emalangeni where his mother Fikile lives.
Neighbours were pouring into the family home with prayers and words of comfort. The family members were fielding calls from friends and relatives asking in disbelief whether the news was true. “He was last here in October and he was fine,” said Gugulethu of her brother’s last visit to their family home, where they reminisced about their childhood.
She said she would miss his warmth.
“He was a very kind-hearted man and a very generous person, and he loved me and his family. We had special names for each other, and every time he came here, he would call me by that special name and I would call him by his.”
Outpourings of praise for the singer began the moment the public became aware of his sudden death. President Jacob Zuma described him as one of the country’s greatest musical assets.
“The passing of Mr Ncwane is a massive loss for the country. His music touched the hearts of millions of people.
“He was one of the best gospel artists that the country has ever produced, and he left us at such a young age.
‘‘We are deeply saddened. May his soul rest in peace,” Zuma added. The DA in KwaZulu-Natal described Ncwane as an icon, not only for the province but for the entire country. — Iol.co.za
