Latest news with #Gumbi

IOL News
19-07-2025
- General
- IOL News
Tribute to the late Dr SD Gumbi
Dr SD Gumbi Image: Supplied On Monday, the 14th of July, the Church, the broader Christian fraternity, and indeed the entire nation, were gripped by a numbing and unspeakable sorrow upon learning of the passing of a towering general in the Lord's army, Dr SD Gumbi. Like a mighty cedar felled in the forest of our faith, his departure has left a void that echoes across pulpits, sanctuaries, and spiritual corridors both near and far. Since that solemn hour, the Gumbi family, and we, their spiritual kin, have borne the crushing burden of grief upon our hearts. Our souls have not found rest. Our spirits sink under the weight of an unanticipated and deeply disorienting loss. Silent tears of lamentation have flowed down our cheeks, moistening not only our faces but our motherland itself. The cries of the bereaved resound not only in the atmosphere but deep within the innermost chambers of our being. Dr Gumbi was no ordinary man. He was a trailblazer in the modern history of the Church, a preacher of global stature and celestial depth. Although his church affiliation was with the Assemblies of God, he belonged to all of us. He was a man of tremendous humility who transcended denominational divides, a bridge-builder whose gospel bore the fragrance of unity and divine reconciliation. His name shall be etched in the chronicles of Church history, not merely as a preacher, but as a father, a reconciler, and a servant-leader par excellence. He had a great following, an anointed crowd-puller whose revivals drew multitudes and shifted atmospheres. He was highly respected across all ranks of the Church. Over two decades ago, our paths crossed during the great revivals of KwaMashu, organised by Pastor Hlongwa and the GCF Network. I was meant to close those meetings, and with characteristic humility, he chose to wait and listen to 'the young man from the Cape.' Video Player is loading. 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Next Stay Close ✕ I preached with every fibre of my being that night, and his response was unforgettable; he embraced me with such warmth and sincerity that a covenant was silently formed. From that day, we were inseparable. He stood by me in all my ministry endeavours, offering me platforms in Vosloorus, Katlehong, Thembisa, Rhema Church, and beyond. Our bond was further sealed when we discovered that my spiritual father, Dr JM Masebe, had once been his pastor in Standerton during the early 1960s. I had the honour of introducing him to UECA, where he became a beloved guest speaker, particularly at the Men's Conference. In 2013, he proposed and preached at the 40th anniversary of our church, an event saturated with God's glory. He returned again a decade later for the 50th celebration in 2023, still as fervent and filled with the Spirit as ever. He was set to consecrate me at my ordination and the launch of the Redeemed Apostolic Church, of which I am the founder. However, due to illness, he was unable to attend in person. In his stead, he delegated the sacred task to Bishop Dumisani Nkosi and sent a heartfelt video message along with words of wisdom, delivered through his son-in-law, Pastor Oupa Nkgau. Yet such was the weight of our spiritual bond that I later travelled to him personally, that he might lay hands upon me and impart his blessing. His body bore the marks of affliction, yet his spirit stood resolute and undimmed. In truth, I have lost not just a mentor, but lost a father. He was a masterful expositor of the Word, a man of profound insight, gifted with a unique guttural voice that thundered truth into hearts. His messages were laced with wisdom and humour, leaving indelible marks on souls. He was a unifier, a healer of schisms, and a trusted counsellor to churches in crisis. His gospel was pure, undiluted, and sound. Dr Gumbi was also a seasoned musician. He recorded a stirring album titled 'Amehlo AmAvulekile', a powerful spiritual offering released under Higher Dimensions Music, a recording label owned by myself and the gifted producer, Sizwe Zako. His voice in song, just like in a sermon, carried the weight of heaven and stirred the souls of men. Last year, sensing the twilight drawing near, he summoned me to his home in Standerton. Though his body was frail, his spirit was ablaze. He imparted wisdom, laid spiritual assurances upon me, and declared that the hand of God was strong upon my life. I thank God for that moment, it was a final fatherly benediction. Dr Gumbi has left behind a resounding legacy, a footprint in eternity, and a model of servant leadership we must all aspire to. The mantle has fallen. Who shall rise to carry it?'Now when David had served God's purpose in his own generation, he fell asleep...' (Acts 13:36). Indeed, Dr Gumbi has completed his assignment with honour. His indomitable soul rests in eternal peace. He is survived by his beloved wife, Mama Gumbi, his daughters Sibongile and Nomsa, and his cherished grandchildren. May the God of all comfort hold them close and may the memory of Dr SD Gumbi inspire generations to come. * Khaya Mayedwa is the Bishop and the Founder of the Redeemed Apostolic Church (RAC). ** The views expressed do not necessarily reflect the views of IOL or Independent Media.

TimesLIVE
15-07-2025
- Entertainment
- TimesLIVE
Gospel fraternity mourns death of renowned pastor Dr SD Gumbi
The gospel and religious community is in mourning after the death of revered pastor Dr Simon 'SD' Gumbi, affectionately known for his iconic phrase ' U-Amen Usekhona? ' He died on Monday evening after a long illness at the age of 66. Gumbi rose to prominence in the 1990s with his popular and spirit-filled sermons on Ukhozi FM's Sunday night show Unkulunkulu Nomuntu Omusha, where he ministered to millions of listeners across South Africa. His powerful voice, unwavering faith and ability to reach people's hearts earned him a loyal following both on air and in church circles. Gospel legend Sipho Makhabane expressed his heartbreak over the loss, describing Gumbi as more than just a colleague. 'I'm still coming to terms with his passing and I'm saddened by the news. I've lost a father, a brother and a mentor in the gospel fraternity. I'll remember uBaba for his full contribution to the gospel industry whether it's in singing, preaching or prayer. He always made an effort to make someone's life better. My heartfelt condolences to his family,' Makhabane told TshisaLIVE. Award-winning gospel singer Rebecca Malope also paid tribute, reflecting on the life and spiritual impact of the late preacher. 'May his soul rest in peace. He has done the Lord's work and he was trusted by the Lord in his duty. Wherever he is, the angels are embracing him. We could see he was no longer himself. All the pain he endured is no more. It's a great loss to us, the gospel fraternity at large,' Malope said. Gospel singer and pastor Jabu Hlongwane shared his own emotional memory of Gumbi, recalling their last meeting at the funeral of fellow gospel icon Zanele Mbokazi. 'I'm still trying to adjust my thinking about this sad news. When I heard of his passing, I thought who's going to be the father in our space now? He fulfilled his purpose on this earth, which was to spread the gospel. When we saw him for the last time at Zanele's funeral, it felt like a farewell. He spoke, then sang, and we all sang along with him. It was beautiful. Condolences to his family,' said Hlongwane.


The Citizen
07-07-2025
- Business
- The Citizen
Rotary Club of Amanzimtoti inducts new president
THE Rotary Club of Amanzimtoti celebrated an extraordinary 60 years of service to its community, and recently inducted Sipho Gumbi as president for 2025/6 at a celebration at the Amanzimtoti Country Club and Conservancy. Also read: Career guidance masterclass for underprivileged youth During the meeting with the tightly-knit club, now past president, Aneska Dupont, a veteran Rotarian, delivered a heartwarming address, highlighting the club's pursuit to enrich communities, improve lives, foster future leaders and create a better world. A draw for a Chocolate Block Magnum bottle of wine was carried out, with Dupont the winner. She elected to use it in a future raffle to raise even more money to aid in Rotary's endeavours. Having joined Rotary in a unique and roundabout way, Gumbi first came across Rotary in Germany, when he represented his church there. In addition, he was a principal at the time, looking to present a case to the church to assist in his school's plight. 'They said, 'No, we cannot help you, but we can refer you to a club.' From there, I ventured to the Rotary club in Bremerhaven. They asked me what business I have. All of them were multi-millionaires. From there, I came to the Rotary Club of Amanzimtoti. This club has done a lot, it has changed the lives of many people in the area,' said Gumbi during his presidential speech. He added, 'Aneska, you are a shining star in this club, the work you have done is amazing. I want to say to the board members, we have got a big task ahead of us. We have to expand Rotary both in terms of reach and membership. People do not understand what Rotary is. Some get in and leave because they think they are going to benefit financially, but the true benefit is the satisfaction of helping others. Rotary is about serving.' Special guest, Ash Maharaj, assistant governor of the Rotary Club of Morningside, spoke about Rotary's 'friendship exchange', where a group from two countries host each other in their respective countries, building strong foreign bonds, developing cultural awareness, all the while upholding Rotary's core tenets. For more South Coast Sun news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. You can also check out our videos on our YouTube channel or follow us on TikTok. Subscribe to our free weekly newsletter and get news delivered straight to your inbox. Do you have more information pertaining to this story? Feel free to let us know by commenting on our Facebook page or you can contact our newsroom on 031 903 2341 and speak to a journalist. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!


The Citizen
02-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Citizen
WATCH: Inside Somkhanda Gumbi's lavish third wedding
Gumbi has two other wives, Bayede Cebekhulu Gumbi and Nombuso Malinga Gumbi. SABC reality TV star and well-known polygamist Somkhanda Gumbi has added a third wife to his growing family. Gumbi, popularly known for his family reality show The Gumbis, which aired on SABC 1, has two other wives: Bayede Cebekhulu Gumbi (35) and Nombuso Malinga Gumbi (29). On Sunday, 29 June, Gumbi tied the knot with 22-year-old Zama Duma in a grand ceremony held in KwaZulu-Natal. In her speech during their first ceremony, Zama revealed that Gumbi had shown serious intentions just one week after they met. 'Seven days into knowing me, he sent a letter to my parent… You meet someone at the end of October, and by December, he pays lobola,' she said. Zama, who was 21 at the time and still completing her first degree, said her parents were not initially supportive of the idea. 'My dad said, 'I'm not okay with this, but I may allow it if you promise me you'll get your PhD',' she added. Now a Wits University graduate, Zama said life has been smooth sailing ever since her parents gave their blessing. ALSO READ: Inside Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez's wedding [PICS] Becoming Mrs Gumbi Zama has documented her journey to becoming Mrs Gumbi on Instagram — from her umembeso ceremony held a few weeks ago to her recent white wedding. She said her husband has fulfilled every promise he made to her. 'I remember he called and said, 'By the way, I'm going to marry you. Where do you want to live so I can start building you a house?'' Zama shared. A few days ago, she took to her Instagram Stories to show off the home Gumbi built for her. 'Look at the beautiful farmhouse my husband built for me in less than two months, ke. Weh, waze wayindoda soka lami,' she captioned the photo. Zama Duma's IG Stories. Pictures: Screenshot NOW READ: Simz Ngema opens up about recovery after cosmetic surgery in Turkey