Swazi Observer

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OVER 1 500 AT NKONJWA DOUBLE FUNERAL

By Mbono Mdluli | 2019-01-21

IT was a full house at a Vilakati homestead as people from almost all corners of the country turned out for a double funeral at Nkonjwa.

The double funeral was that of a well-known traditional healer (inyanga) Gcina Samson Vilakati (42) and his mother Liphinah Gumbi (78). Both individuals were shot dead allegedly by members of the Vilakati extended family at Nkonjwa.

The incident happened on January 6, 2019. Vilakati (Gcina) also doubled as a bishop at his church, Sambulo Church in Zion. The highly-emotional funeral was held at Nkonjwa under Sithobelweni Inkhundla in the Lubombo region. The funeral, which was attended by people estimated to be over 1 500, was preceded by a night vigil, which started at about 10pm. The night vigil was held at Vilakati’s homestead, which is about one kilometre from Gumbi’s (Gcina’s mother) homestead.

The night vigil was conducted by Sambulo Church in Zion members and was characterised by more singing and less talking. Zionist songs were sung for the better part of the night vigil, by members of Vilakati’s church and some other churches under the Zionist faith. They were dressed in different Zionist gear, with some being white, while others were navy blue and green.

However, what was slightly different here was that all of the songs rendered during the funeral service, including the night vigil, were sung with an aid of Swazi traditional drums.

Two tents, which were rented for the event, couldn’t house the many people who attended. The speakers who spoke during the night vigil spoke highly of the two deceased individuals. They stated that they were both helpful to the community and the church members. Vilakati was described as a person whose work was noticeable even in South Africa, where he played an instrumental role in re-uniting Emaswati that worked in South Africa with their families in Eswatini.

Gumbi was the first to be buried and her funeral lasted until about 7am. She was buried just next to her home. Vilakati’s casket was lowered to his grave at about 8am, just next to his home.

The night vigil and the funeral was attended by people from Eastern Cape and Gauteng in South Africa, who all spoke highly of Vilakati’s work while he was still alive. Vilakati is survived by his wife, who was identified as LaMamba, his 14 children, his grandchildren, brothers, and sisters.

Gumbi, on the other hand, is survived by seven children, 51 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren.

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