Times Of Swaziland: MASSIVE FAREWELL FOR KNOX, PARKING RUNS OUT

MASSIVE FAREWELL FOR KNOX, PARKING RUNS OUT
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Mhlonishwa Motsa on 15/07/2023 08:11:00


MBABANE – Cars parked through the streets around Mbabane Free Evangelical
Assemblies as masses came from all walks of life to bid farewell to renowned
lawyer Mshumayeli Knox Nxumalo.
An estimated 3 000 to 4 000 people attended a memorial service hosted in honour
of the late experienced attorney. The diversity of the crowd in attendance was
evident as pastors, politicians, lawyers and general congregants from his
church, Revival Life Ministries came together to celebrate his life. Nxumalo
died in the early hours of Friday July 7, 2023, while in bed. It was revealed
that he violently coughed while sleeping at about 3.30am and his wife
immediately called family members and he was taken to hospital where he was
pronounced dead.
He was 73 years when he met his death. He was remembered as one of the toughest
lawyers who handled high profile cases and made impression in every case he
held. Different speakers, including former Senator Walter Benett, shared their
experiences of the late Nxumalo.His children Winile, Lindelwe, Bhekiwe,
Simphiwe, Buyile and Banele said Nxumalo was the best father they would have
asked from God and he raised them on the base of love. Taking turns to share
memories of their late father Mshumayeli Knox Nxumalo, the children alluded that
he was a great father.
Conversation
“He was the best father to me and my siblings and did everything a father can
do for his children. As the last one in his female children, we were very fond
of each other. The last serious conversation I had with him was about my 40th
birthday and it seems like a dream that he had to leave us two months before the
celebration,” said Buyile. Another daughter, Lindelwe said Nxumalo was a
passionate father and he took his role with pride as he raised many other
children.
Speaking on behalf of the family, Phindela Nxumalo said the late attorney was a
unifier for the family and kept them together despite their differences.
“He was always available to his siblings and their children. He managed the
complex relationships with unity, love, respect and a dexterity that has him
remembered with fondness. He was generous in all his ways to his expansive
family, ready to offer a word of advice, encourage a dream or provide a strong
word of rebuke,” he said.
One of his friends and colleagues, Reverend David Matse said Nxumalo was
difficult to convert into Christianity and his wife played a major role in
praying and convincing him. Matse said he also assisted the process of
conversion through providing him with religious literature since he was an avid
reader.
Steadily
“He pursued God with a fervour and steadfastness, true to his character,
steadily becoming a man of great faith through his words and actions” said
Matse. In 1999 Nxumalo committed his life to the Lord, starting a life long
journey of his spiritual walk. Businessman Walter Bennett left the audience in
stitches when he shared a recollection of memories between him and the late
Nxumalo. He shared how he was afraid to make Nxumalo angry as he was known to be
a very sharp lawyer. Judge Mzwandile Fakudze also shared that he was very close
to Nxumalo as they both had passion for the gospel of Jesus Christ. He said they
once shared an office with Nxumalo when he was appointed Acting Judge of the
Supreme Court.
Experience
Nxumalo’s longest serving employee, Brenda Littler also shared her experience
of working for Nxumalo and said she was saddened by his demise.
Littler started working for Nxumalo in April 1986, at Robinson Bertram and
Company as his personal secretary. She worked with him for over 37 years. “His
liberal character, mindset and mostly his loud laugh definitely warmed our
spirits to such an extent that he was no longer just Nxumalo from the office,
but for many years now a father figure to the entire Littler family,” she
said. Littler said Nxumalo’s spiritual journey was the most astounding part of
the life they spent with him.