Popular gospel singer Reverend Nkomfa Mkabile has been laid to rest in Paarl near Cape Town. The 48-year-old singer died last week at a Cape Town hospital following a short illness.
Hundreds of mourners turned up at a local stadium to pay their last respects. Among the mourners were politicians and clergy.
Fellow gospel singers paid tribute to one of their own in song and dance.
Former African National Congress (ANC) Western Cape Chairperson Marius Fransman described Mkabile as larger than life.
“He loved communities and I had an intimate relationship with him during the most difficult moment in my life in 2016 and he was on my side.”
Mkabile died shortly after he turned his back on the ANC and joined the ATM.
Deputy Minister of Rural Development & Land Reform Mcebisi Skwatsha had this to say about Mkabile.
“I took his departure from the ANC as like a lost sheep which would have come back home one day.”
His new party described him as a committed member.
The @ATMovement_SA mourns the passing of Dr Nkomfa Deon Mkabile.
We vow to carry forth the oath of #PUTSA1st you took.
Peace
Ubuntu
Transformation
Servant Leadership
AccountabilityRest in eternal peace Servant Nkomfa!#RIP #VoteATM #VoteATM2019 pic.twitter.com/XiC3LvJNn0
— African Transformation Movement (@ATMovement_SA) April 18, 2019
Mkabile is survived by his wife and children.
#ThursdayThoughts go to Rev Nkomfa Deon Mkabile’s wife and kids.
May his soul Rest In Eternal Perfect Peace #NkomfaMkabile #ThursdayMotivation pic.twitter.com/9OYDSMVzxb
— ????Siseko Soga Gxarha ???? (@Siseko_Soga) April 18, 2019