adminAuxilia Katongomara Chronicle Reporter
ONE of the few remaining direct descendants of the last Ndebele monarch, King Lobengula, Princess Simoli Khumalo, was laid to rest at her rural home in Esigodini on Wednesday. Princess Simoli Khumalo, the eldest daughter of Prince Rhodes Khumalo, succumbed to a chronic liver ailment at Mpilo Central Hospital on Saturday. Her father, Prince Rhodes Khumalo, was son to Prince Njube Khumalo, who was one of Lobengula’s sons.
Hundreds of mourners gathered in Mlomoliwotho to bid farewell to Princess Simoli Khumalo who passed away at the age of 87.
Among the mourners were descendants of the Royal family from different Khumalo lineages.
Speakers described Princess Simoli as a loving, respectful and principled woman.
Family spokesperson Prince Zwide kaLanga Khumalo described his sister as a strict and God fearing woman who was a staunch Seventh Day Adventist.
“She was full of love, a no-nonsense person whose strictness and guidance will be greatly missed. She inculcated strong values of love and respect to the family,” he said.
Prince Khumalo apologised for the hurried burial, saying the ceremony was moved a day or two forward because her son, who was expected from England, could not travel.
“We had scheduled the burial for either Thursday or Friday but her son who is based in England could not travel suddenly, hence we decided to lay her to rest today,” said.
Prince Zwide Khumalo thanked all those who supported materially and spiritually during the funeral wake.
The Seventh Day Adventist church led the funeral service.
Princess Khumalo was born on May 2, 1929, koNkosikazi in the Siganda area where Queen Lozikeyi is buried.
She grew up in Mlomoliwoto area in Esigodini where she later got married to Ben Siyaphi Sibanda and the couple was blessed with seven children.
Her father, Rhodes, is one of the founders of Highlanders Football Club and was the team’s first captain. She is survived by seven children, 27 grandchildren and 24 great-grandchildren.
Online Reporter