In a profound moment of raw grief and extraordinary grace, the father of Zinhle Mnkandla, a Form Three pupil tragically killed by a kombi on Friday, embraced the very driver responsible for his daughter’s death at her funeral service, yesterday.
Amidst the
heavy sorrow at Bulawayo’s Pelandaba Seventh-Day Adventist Church, with Mr
Tatenda Pondo, the driver, also present among a large gathering of mourners —
including schoolchildren, church members, family, and community members —
Zinhle’s heartbroken father, Mr Zibusiso Saunyama, addressed the congregation
with remarkable composure. He declared his profound forgiveness, stating that
no charges would be pressed: “It was not his intention.”
The atmosphere
at the church was heavy with grief. Zinhle’s mother, Ms Erica Nhliziyo,
overwhelmed by emotion, was unable to speak, her eyes brimming with tears and
her body trembling with sorrow.
Mr Saunyama,
though visibly heartbroken, delivered his powerful message of acceptance and
peace.
“I’m
heartbroken, but I have to be strong. Zinhle was a young, beautiful girl with
good morals. She loved to sing — she was always singing, even at home. We have
lost a good girl, and only God knows why. He alone holds the answers,” he said.
Moments after
mourners arrived at Luveve Cemetery, a heavy silence fell as Mr Saunyama
stepped forward. With a voice trembling between grief and resolve, he called
out for the Pondo family, the family of the kombi driver involved in the
accident. His tone, firm and clear, cut through the stillness, momentarily
stirring confusion among the crowd.
Then, from
behind the gathering, the kombi driver slowly emerged, his face streaked with
tears.
He stood there,
broken and exposed, as if awaiting judgment. But instead of anger, Zinhle’s
father opened his arms and embraced him tightly.
Turning to the
funeral parlour staff, he asked them to remove the flower arrangement that
rested atop the coffin.
He then turned
to the mourners and said: “No one is going to be charged for Zinhle’s death. As
her father, I’m setting the driver free. It was not his intention.”
Taking the
flower into his hands, he paused and looked at the driver. “Come,” he said
softly. Together, father and driver walked to the coffin and laid the flowers
down. Chronicle
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