SIDVOKODVO – Prince Guduza has credited His Majesty King Mswati III with shaping Princess Lindiwe into the woman mourners celebrated at her funeral yesterday.
The prince is an elder brother of the late princess.
They shared the same mother with the late Prince Sihlangusempi, Prince Gcina and Princess Elizabeth.
Speaking on behalf of Emalangeni at his sister’s funeral service yesterday morning, Prince Guduza said tributes had largely focused on her wisdom, humility, hard work, love of peace and ability to enjoy life.
He said those qualities, together with the achievements for which she had become known, could not be discussed without acknowledging the person who had helped shape her character.
Prince Guduza said the King had played a pivotal role in Princess Lindiwe’s upbringing, education and mentoring, describing her as an epitome of the excellence associated with the King.
He said many mourners had spoken about the woman Princess Lindiwe became, yet had overlooked the process that shaped her.
He said the King had mentored and shaped his sister, arguing that she had learnt from the best.
According to Prince Guduza, the late princess’ character had not always been defined by the humility and peacefulness for which she was remembered at the end of her life.
He recalled that while growing up, she was known for her strong personality, wisdom and willingness to engage in heated arguments.
The prince said his sister was vocal and not easily intimidated when she believed she was right.
He recalled that he often found himself mediating between Princess Lindiwe and their late brother, Prince Sihlangusempi, because the two frequently fought while growing up.
Prince Guduza said his sister had particularly resisted being outsmarted by her brother, making their disagreements a familiar part of their childhood.
In adulthood, Prince Guduza said, those who had known her when she was younger would have been surprised by the woman she became.
As she grew older, Guduza said, Princess Lindiwe changed significantly, developing qualities of humility, peace and wisdom that became central to the way she interacted with others.
He said those changes demonstrated the influence of the King’s mentorship and guidance.
Prince Guduza also spoke about Princess Lindiwe’s role in his own spiritual journey, recalling a period when he was involved in a religious cult while in the United States.
He said he had been introduced to the group after arriving in the United States, where he and an acquaintance worshipped with what he described as a cult, whose identity he chose not to disclose.
At the time, he said, they believed the group was a messenger of God.
His involvement in the group resulted in frequent conflict with his late sister, who challenged his beliefs.
The prince narrated that the turning point came when he decided to read the Bible from its first page to the last.
That decision, he said, brought him enlightenment and eventually led him to receive salvation through Christ.
He, therefore, credited Princess Lindiwe with helping him on that journey, saying her persistence in challenging his beliefs contributed to his eventual departure from the cult.
He also recalled how singing and worship had been part of Princess Lindiwe’s life from childhood. The prince said she sang from an early age and that singing was not merely something she performed, but an integral part of her prayer and spiritual life.
Her early spiritual life eventually led her to become a pastor at Jesus Calls Worship Centre after she married the bishop upon returning from the United States.
Interestingly, the prince recalled the circumstances surrounding her relationship with her husband, saying she met him during a period when she was undertaking a 21-day fast.
He said she met him when his physical appearance was not particularly attractive, but the relationship eventually led to marriage and ministry.
On her illness, Guduza said the family had deliberately kept information about her condition private because they remained hopeful that she would recover.
He apologised to the nation for not providing updates when she fell ill, saying the family had believed throughout the early stages of her illness that she would respond to treatment.
The King, he said, had frequently enquired about Princess Lindiwe’s condition while she was in hospital. The family told him that she was responding well to treatment, Prince Guduza said.
However, as her condition deteriorated and it became apparent that she was getting worse, the family became afraid to tell the King the full extent of her condition because they knew the news would cause him emotional pain.
Prince Guduza also revealed that the family continued to pray and fast for her recovery, but ultimately accepted that God had chosen to call her home.
He said her death had come too soon for the family, although they accepted that it had happened at the time God had determined.
On behalf of Emalangeni, he thanked the nation for the support, love and condolences extended to the royal family following Princess Lindiwe’s death.
He said the public response to her passing demonstrated how deeply she had been loved by emaSwati.
For Emalangeni, he said, the loss was particularly painful because Princess Lindiwe had been more than a member of the royal family.
“She was a pastor, sister, daughter and woman whose life was closely connected to the spiritual lives of many people,” the prince added.
Guduza said the family would remember her not only for the achievements and qualities mourners had highlighted during the funeral, but also for the journey that had shaped her.
The funeral service brought together members of the royal family, the church and the wider public to bid farewell to Princess Lindiwe, who was remembered for her faith, ministry, family life and service to others.
