Zara Nicholson
5 July 2009
In a moving funeral ceremony, flowers and messages of support came in for the son of the owner of Gugulethu's famous restaurant Mzoli's, who was killed in a road accident early last Saturday.
More than 500 mourners gathered to say their final goodbyes to Mandisi Ngcawuzele, 28, at the JL Zwane Church in Gugulethu, including his parents, sister, and fiancee Ntuthu Ntshoko.
Many described him as a "role model" and "humble".
His sudden death is the third tragic blow for well-known restaurant owner Mzoli Ngcawuzele and his wife Phindiwe, who yesterday buried their eldest son.
Three years ago their younger son, Unathi, drowned at Strandfontein beach. His body washed up two days later.
Unathi drowned just a fortnight after the couple's daughter, Sisanda, was kidnapped and held for ransom of R300 000.
She was found blindfolded and tied to a chair in a Table View flat after a three-day manhunt.
The family were away in Port Elizabeth recovering from the kidnap drama when the news came of Unathi's death.
Early last Saturday Mandisi and his cousin Banzi Ngcawuzele were travelling towards the city on the N2 when two men apparently walked onto the highway.
Banzi swerved but hit one of the men who died on the scene. The car rolled, landing on its roof, killing Mandisi instantly. Banzi is still in a critical condition in hospital.
On Saturday family and friends paid their last respects to Mandisi.
They included his best friends, colleagues and ANC heavyweights such as Mcebisi Skwatsha.
During the funeral ceremony the mood was sombre but emotional, with people describing Mandisi as a man who was ambitious about development projects in Gugulethu.
Mzoli and Sisanda continuously away wiped tears. During a tribute by Mandisi's cousin, Phindiwe was handed a gift and wept uncontrollably.
For the rest of the service she kept her head bowed under a large black hat.
Streams of mourners came into the church throughout the service and hundreds more gathered in the roadway outside.
Mandla Yengeni, son of controversial former ANC chief whip Tony Yengeni, placed purple and white lilies and ribbons at the altar and said he was "very sad" about his friend's death.
"I've known him for six years, we were very close. He was a nice guy, very humble. He was always working hard no matter what, and was always helping at the butchery, opening up the shop and doing his bit," Yengeni said.
Unathi Tshotwana, the ANC Youth League provincial co-ordinator and fundraiser, also paid tribute and said: "Mandisi was a role model to all young lions and now he has handed over the baton in a marathon well run. Sisanda, you are our friend and the baton has been handed to you, you can take over from Mandisi."
Business partner Charles Withington said he had known Mandisi for more than two years and could only describe him as a "true gentleman".
Mandisi started his own security company, then the Luhambo Construction company and also eventually owned the Mzoli's Butchery next to the restaurant. His new project was a wine label with Withington.
In the few days before his death he discussed attaching a family legacy to the wine brand and was delighted at having one of the wines named after his brother Unathi.
Withington said the proofs for the wine labels were finalised just hours before Mandisi's death. Withington said he and Mandisi were "friends on a mission" and he would now complete the dream of the wine project.
"I started it with him and I will end it for him." The wine collection was supposed to be launched in August.
Mandisi also planned to marry his girlfriend of two years, Ntuthu Ntshoko, "in the near future".
Ntshoko kept up a brave face throughout the service. She said she had lost her best friend and would now have to start her life over.
"He was my strength and my guide, my friend, and we laughed so much. My phone is going to be very quiet now, he always made my phone ring. I spoke to him a few minutes before the accident and he told me he loved and I said I loved him too, and he said he was going to come around to me.
"That was at 2:50am and when I called him after 3am the phone was never answered again. When they called me with the news I just thought that it couldn't be him. We were so happy with each other and the lives we planned."
Sisanda said of her brother: "He lived his life well. These past few years have made our family strong and we have not given up on our goals.
"Even if there is only one of us left, we will complete the dream."
After the service Mzoli Ngcawuzele told Weekend Argus: "I am not doing too good, I've lost a lot but we have to move on and live. He meant everything to me, he was my pillar and was to lead our next empire."
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