Umhlobo Weneng is mourning not only Rwekana's death, but also that of respected author Sonwabo Yawa, who passed away on the same day as Rwekana.
“'Tamzozo', as I affectionately called her, was on my face all morning, and when I shouted 'Tamzozo sana' in the reception area, she would shout back 'Sana lwam'. ” said media personality Putko Mafani.to citizen He recalled the life of the late Umhlobo Wenneng station announcer Nomasamsanka Rwekana.
Popularly known to Umhlobo Wenneng listeners as 'Pastor Rwekana', he is a former host of the radio station's programme. Ngenang Emmasangweni Ngendumisopassed away on Tuesday.
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Rwekana's Spiritual Elevation
Rwekana was aired before Mafani's breakfast show BEE (Breakfast Eyondlayo Ekuseni), so the two often saw each other.
“At least four days a week, when I woke up at 5 a.m., she was on the air. I would come to work and run into her on the way home,” Mafani said.
Rwekana was on air at Umhlobo Weneng FM from 2008 until his retirement in March 2022, where he was an avid religious program presenter.
she hosted Ngenang Emmasangweni Ngendumiso – Religious Shows – Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.; Nding Jehovah Igilha Rakho Her late-night knocks and trademark phrases “Nkqo, nkqo, nkqo, ndikwakho” endeared her to listeners from 3am to 5.30am.
Rwekana was inducted into the Hall of Fame at the 2017 Liberty Radio Awards.
Her shows have brought spiritual uplift to millions of Umlobo listeners.
“She had a personal approach and spoke to you as if you were the only one listening at that moment. Her approach speaks to just one listener, not millions of listeners. It was a real thing,” declared Mafani, a former Kaizer Chiefs spokesperson.
“It is a personal approach to prayer that has a powerful healing effect, assuring you, the listener, that no matter what you are going through, you can overcome it. There's a sense of loss that comes with it.”
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Radio still matters
Despite retiring two years ago, condolences continue to pour in from Rwekana's former listeners. This also speaks to the influence radio still has on society, Mafani said.
“Radio still has a socially therapeutic effect on people. Choosing the time of day when your audience is commuting to work or school makes it more accessible,” he said.
“Their imagination is irreplaceable because it truly is the theater of the mind.”
The award-winning author of Umhlobo Weneng Sonwabo Yawa also passed away on the eve of Rwekana.Yawa wrote the award-winning drama series Itini Na Lent The 2008 drama series focused on reducing initiate deaths caused during circumcision and was titled Konakerefai?.
Loyiso Bala, Business Manager of Eastern Combo Radio Station, paid tribute to the two radio contributors in a statement.
“The passing of Pastor Nomasamsanka Rwekana and Pastor Sonwabo Yawa leaves a gap in the Umhlobo Weneng FM family and the South African broadcasting community.”
“Their legacies will be forever remembered and their contributions cherished. Our deepest condolences go out to their families, friends and colleagues at this difficult time,” Barra said.
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