Ukhozi FM presenter Zanele Mbokazi Nkambule passed away on Monday morning following her months-long cancer battle.
Ukhozi FM presenter and businesswoman Zanele Mbokazi Nkambule, popularly known simply as Zanele Mbokazi, has died at the age of 52, a few months following her lung cancer diagnosis.
The sad news of her passing was announced on Ukhozi FM’s breakfast show by the radio station’s business manager Sbongi Ngcobo, who said the founder of the Crown Gospel Music Awards succumbed to her illness in the early hours of Monday, 12 August, 2024 at a Durban hospital.
Zanele’s husband Bishop Mpendulo Nkambule also posted the announcement on Facebook, saying, “It is with a heavy heart that we, the Nkambule and Mbokazi family, announce the passing of our dearly beloved Ms Zanele Mbokazi-Nkambule, founder of Crown Gospel Music Awards & Ukhozi FM personality.
“She departed to be with the Lord [in the] early hours of 12 August 2024, at Parklands Hospital. We are grateful for all the prayers, love and support we received throughout her illness.
“The family would appreciate privacy as we navigate through this challenging time.”
As expected, condolence messages started pouring in on social media following the announcement. On Facebook, Zanele’s fellow UKhozi FM presenters MC Tshatha, DJ Sgqemeza and Nonhlanhla ‘Mroza’ Buthelezi, as well as gospel singers Dr Rebecca Malope, Bishop Benjamin Dube, Dumi Mkokstad and Thinah Zungu, were among the first people to react to the news, sending condolences or expressing their sadness in different ways.
South African Philanthropist BI Phakathi, who was honored with a Salt Award at the 2022 Crown Gospel Awards for his charity work, wrote on Facebook, “Mom Zanele Mbokazi Nkambule is a visionary leader and a woman of purpose. She changed so many lives including mine. Condolences to the family and Bishop [Nkambule]. To my mother, we are grateful for your impact in this generation. So painful to lose her. Rest In God’s hands mama 💔🕊.”
Zanele Mbokazi, born in Durban on 7th of November 1971, and raised in Thornwood and Kwandengezi, has been a prominent media figure since the mid-90s. According to The History, she first joined uKhozi FM in 1995 as a presenter of gospel music and talk shows. She left the station in 2000 and started her marketing company Mirror PR and Events, through which she founded several well-known projects, including the Crown Gospel Music Awards, Future leaders annual youth conference and expo, and more.
According to her biography, it is evident that Zanele Mbokazi was a woman of many talents. She is described as a radio and TV broadcaster (she hosted and produced Gospel Gold on SABC1 in the 2000s), a professional speaker, podcaster, author (with five published books), a coach and preacher. She had a BA degree in English and Politics and an Honours degree in Media and Communications from the University of KwaZulu Natal. In addition, she also had a diploma in PR and a number of business certificates. It is said that she has been honored with several awards in business over the years, including Ithala Women’s Award, Best Marketer Award, and others.
Zanele Mbokazi made a surprise return to uKhozi FM in 2023, twenty three years after she left the station. After she hosted the gospel show Eshilo for a year, it was announced that she had been diagnosed with lung cancer, which ultimately led to her passing. She is survived by, among others, her husband Bishop Nkambule and their children Yolanda and Mawande.
