After the drama filled with postponements and court interdicts, the late Methodist reverend Mthuthuzeli Ndlaku has finally been laid to rest.
Ndlaku, who was clergyman for the church in Mbizana in Eastern Cape, had his funeral delayed by his widow Nontsikelelo Ndlaku, who went to court to stop the burial twice – first on May 21 and again on June 1.
Last week, the Mthatha high court interdicted the funeral – a judgment that sent shockwaves to the rural community, after Nontsikelelo, a senior official at Ntabankulu local municipality, claimed that Ndlaku’s children from his first marriage were sidelining her during the preparations for the funeral.
The clergyman died on May 17 and his funeral ceremony was held at Ludeke Methodist Church hall in Mbizana on Thursday.
Speaking via an audio recording at the funeral, Nontsikelelo said she and her husband held onto their vows until his last days on earth.
“I became his wife 26 years ago when I was 22 years old, and I got married to him while he was still vulnerable, because he had just lost his first wife. God blessed me with him and his three children, whom I loved so dearly,” said Nontsikelelo.
“We would always follow each other everywhere, we were united and he did that until the last day.
“Even when the world had started to decide on its own way to end this marriage, God did not allow for it to happen and for me to be called a divorcee. Thank you for loving me my love, no one knows you more than I do.”
She urged her children to come together, mend their relationship and work towards doing things in the memory of her husband and their father.
“My husband was ambitious and he loved to see his children progressing in life. We had plans of developing the church while in our bedroom.
“We would have strategic planning sessions there, so that when we leave the circuit it is evident that we were there.”
When he died, Ndlaku was out on R5 000 bail for allegedly raping a minor.
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