Friday, August 29, 2025 by Finding solace in Scripture

 

In an intriguing retell of discovering God, 25-year-old Nkosimenzile Maseko, affectionately kown as ‘Menzie’, recounts a transformative journey of faith that began with the tragic loss of her father in February 2013, when she was just 13 years old.

After receiving the terrible news of her dad’s passing at age 13, Maseko recalls sitting on her bed in disbelief, heartbroken. The following day, she couldn’t attend school because she and her family had to make funeral arrangements at her grandparents’ home. She admits to being angry with God for taking her father away and couldn't understand why she had to endure such a horrible experience.

During this time, her relatives repeatedly told her: “Be still and know that He is God,” a quote from Psalms 46:10. These words brought some healing, as she had been raised in a Christian home and had attended Sunday school from a young age. Her father's burial was a wake-up call, as she realised she was no longer ‘daddy's little princess’, but had to mature quickly.
A few months later, her school invited Pastor Solomon Zikalala to minister at a Scripture Union service. Maseko said the Scripture Union Chairlady, Ngokuhle Simelane, invited her class to the services, which were held in the school auditorium on Tuesdays and Thursdays during lunchtime. Since Maseko had a Christian background, she decided to attend, bringing her Bible with her, ready to hear what God had in store for her. She recalls the chairlady addressing the pastor and encouraging the pupils to open their hearts to God's message.

Maseko stated that Pastor Solomon, then, a recent high school graduate, began to preach about dying to oneself and not conforming to worldly patterns, as stated in Romans 12:2. He then gave an altar call for those who wished to give their lives to God. She immediately ran forward, crying hysterically, as she felt the powerful presence of God in the auditorium. From that day on, she wanted to learn more about God and spent most of her time reading the Bible and attending Bible study groups. She also attended a camp held at her school, St Michael's High School, during the holidays. Maseko said her spirit was healed, and she began to understand that God's ways are higher than ours (Isaiah 55:8-9) and that God's love is unconditional.

From that point forward, Maseko continued to seek God’s presence and serve in His house. In her final year of high school, God entrusted her to be the chairlady and president of the Scripture Union for the Manzini Region. She stated that she remains a born-again Christian and will only serve her God, as she has seen Him guide her path and continues to do so. Maseko's advice to others is: To trust in the Lord no matter the circumstances, because God never changes and His promises are ‘Yes and Amen’, as stated in 2 Corinthians 1:20.”