ONE MAN, TWO NIGHT VIGILS

MBABANE – A man had two vigils conducted separately yesterday, about 50 metres apart ahead of his burial this morning.
The two tents where mourners convened to celebrate Wiseman Nhlakanipho Mkhwanazi’s life were pitched at Fonteyn.

One was erected at his parental home where his mother and siblings participated, the other at his home where his wife Jabu Mkhonta, children and in-laws paid their respects.
This move set tongues wagging in the community as people seemed confused as to which home to deliver condolences.
Burials in Swaziland normally involve the union of members of the deceased’s extended family, whether close or distant, friends and colleagues. These convene in one place for the sole purpose of a unified send-off.

An elderly woman who was approached on the street leading to the Mkhwanazi homesteads said she will first while away time at the nearby shopping complex so that she could decide on where to go after consulting with local residents there.
“I am going to send my condolences but I am not sure where. I need to hang around the shops for a while,” she said.

In May 2011, the 45-year-old deceased was reported to have been repeatedly assaulted by his wife, who squeezed his private parts, allegedly with the help of their son.
They had appeared before Swazi National Court President Ngeto Cindzi who cautioned and discharged the accused persons and further ordered them to handle the matter at family level.

When Swazi News reporters arrived at Fonteyn at about 3pm, a small brownish tent had been erected at the deceased’s parental home. Some mourners were seen going there.
At the deceased’s home there was a bigger tent, pitched in the backyard.

A younger brother to the deceased, Mphumelelo Mkhwanazi, said they were going to hold a vigil where they would accommodate mourners who wanted to fellowship with them.
“We handed over my brother’s corpse to his wife because we did not want to be involved in any fighting. We are a peaceful family and we would like a peaceful send-off for my brother,” he said.

Mkhwanazi said they would not set foot at their brother’s home because their sister-on-law once reported them for disturbing her peace when they went there.
“We will join the procession on the road to the cemetery in the morning to avoid trespassing,” said Mkhwanazi.
He also revealed that his late brother first married Mkhonta through Traditional Law and Custom and they later on went for a Civil Rights marriage in which the family was not entirely involved.

For the reason that Mkhonta could not give comment, her son Bandile said he was also not in a position to discuss the matter.
“Please excuse me madam, maybe you can try calling me on Monday,” he politely refused before hanging up on the reporter.
Traditionalist Ndumiso Dlamini, who is Manzini Swazi National Court President, said this was taboo.

He highlighted the importance of respect during mourning and said the two factions should have put aside their grudges just for the sake of a peaceful funeral.

“Our tradition dictates that a wife takes advice from her in-laws, especially on issues of this nature. These are the same people who have to give her mourning gowns and also cleanse her when the mourning period has passed,” he said.

He said as much as it was right for the man to be buried at his home, the involvement of his family was also necessary because there were some things the wife could not carry out on her own without her in-laws.

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