Acclaimed poet Jessica Mbangeni will be buried today in her hometown of Ngamakwe in the Eastern Cape.
Acclaimed poet Jessica Mbangeni will be buried in her hometown of Ngamakwe in the Eastern Cape on Saturday.
Mbangeni died on August 31, the last Saturday of Women's Month, at the age of 47 after a short illness.
Her memorial service took place last Friday at the Dr John Kani Theatre in the Market Theatre complex, with attendees encouraged to wear traditional dress in her honour.
“She was more than just a world-renowned hymn singer and musical virtuoso — she was a cultural cornerstone, a beacon of hope and an unstoppable force of artistic expression and advocacy,” her family's statement said.
“Her artistic talent transcended genres and her powerful voice resonated in the soul of a nation, celebrating the richness of our traditions while addressing contemporary social issues with grace and eloquence.
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A wonderful woman
“She was a multi-talented young woman who not only recited poetry but also collaborated with other artists to create music, most notably Vusi Nova when she composed songs. Aspherelanga With him. Now Ferreranga [we are incomplete] “Because the first woman poet of her kind has passed away,” said broadcaster Pukko Mafani. The Citizen After she died.
of Ezemidlalo The Umhlobo Wenene FM presenter has worked with Mbangeni on a number of occasions, with one of the most memorable occasions they worked together being the funeral of AmaXhosa king Mpendulo Zwelonke Sigkaw in 2019.
“There were various pastors from the religious community and a few Imbongi. [Xhosa praise poets] “There,” Mafani recalls, “there was a lot of noise.
“Jessica surprised a lot of people that day because not only did she go up to the podium and recite a poem in honour of the late King Zwelonke Sigkaw, but somehow, for the first time I learned that she was also a bishop. For me, that was a big surprise.”
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