The year 2021 is one that former Midday News and Africa Watch anchor on Metro FM, Kgopedi Oa Namane Lilokoe, will never forget - sadly, not for a good reason.
Rea next: Mduduzi Mabaso Is Mourning
Rea next: Mduduzi Mabaso Is Mourning
Losing a spouse is one of the hardest things anyone can go through; having to wake up everyday knowing that they are no longer with you can leave a wound that may never heal.
The South African entertainment industry unfortunately has women who have lost their husbands. Late Gospel singer, Sfiso Ncwane's widow, Ayanda Ncwane; former Rhythm City actor and singer, Dumi Masilela's widow, actress Simphiwe 'Simz' Ngema; former Our Perfect Wedding (OPW) presenter, Kayise Ngqula, are some of the women who have experienced this great loss.
According to a tweet, Kgopedi's husband, Rev Thapelo Lilokoe (affectionately called 'Pastor T' by many Bethesdans) of Bethesda Methodist Mission, also left behind his children with the news anchor. Rev Lilokoe was responsible for officiating Somizi's actres mother Mam' Mary Twala's funeral last year.
A heartbroken Zola Hashatsi (who is an actor and presenter) described Rev Lilokoe as 'one of the most authentic, kind, gentle, caring human being.'
Actress, Kgomotso Christopher, who was also heart broken, wrote: "Iyhoo Zola. All we can do is cover our sister, Kgopedi and the kiddies and family, ba ha Lilokoe ba ha Namane in prayer. It's heavy."
Actress and presenter, Thembisa Mdoda-Nxumalo wrote: "Praying for Kgopedi and her family"
Author and Dr, Tlaleng Mofokeng wrote: "Every time I think of Kgopedi my heart hurts so deeply I can feel it shake."
When Simz Ngema recently sat down with Mac G and the Chillers on Podcast And Chill, she opened up about tragically losing her husband, Dumi Masilela, after being shot during an attempted hijacking in 2017.
On whether she questioned God about taking him away from her she said: "Of course. I knew that it was meant to happen the way that it happened. But, I felt like there is no reason good enough for it. I would ask God those questions, what’s the reason behind it? They always say everything happens for a reason but I felt like, what that reason? I didn’t understand but I never lost my belief in God. I think at that time God was the only thing that made sense in my life. It kept me sane,” Simz shared.
“A lot of people be like how did you get up on stage and sing and all of that. And I was like because, at that moment, everything was so heavy in my spirit. The only thing that made sense was God. I’m a Virgo, I’m a perfectionist and I like planning and I like doing things by the book.” She continued.
Like Simz, presenter and actress, Kayise Ngqula also lost her husband when they had just gotten married. The couple had also welcomed a beautiful baby boy before they were involved in a car accident. While she recovered, her husband died a week after the accident. Since the accident, the media personality occasionally takes to Instagram to remember her husband on their anniversary and on his birthday.
Read next: SA Not Impressed With Ntando's Apology
Image credit: Instagram