South Africa’s Joyous Celebration has released a statement Monday 1st of December confirming the death of Thembelihle “Lihle” Mbanjwa. She passed away in a fatal car accident that left another colleague, drummer Sabu Satsha in a critical condition in hospital as well as her cousin.
In the statement released, Joyous Celebration said:
“It is with profound sadness for the Joyous Celebration choir to announce the untimely passing away of one our members, Thembelihle Mbanjwa nee Sukazi.
They had been travelling by car to Johannesburg from a performance in Kimberley. The accident took place on the early hours of 30th November,”
One of the JC Founders, Jabu Hlongwane, also spoke out about the disheartening incident.
“We as the Joyous Celebration choir family are extremely shocked and sadden by the news and would like to send our heartfelt sympathy to the bereaved family and ask our fans to keep both Satsha and Sukazi’s cousin in their prayers,” he said.
The JC family went on to ask that the Mbanjwa, Sukazi and Satsha families be allowed the space and privacy they deserve during this painful time.
Notwithstanding, Joyous Celebration has announced that they will continue with their scheduled concerts as the family of the deceased insisted. The group initially sort to take out time and mourn the ‘big loss’ but had to yield to the wish of Lihle’s family.
To this effect, the group said in a statement on their Facebook page:
“Greetings Family
We appreciate the love ,support and prayers we have been recieving as we go through this trying time as Joyous.We know that with God and all of you on our side,we will make it through.The family of Lihle has decided that the best way to celebrate her life is to continue with the performance that were planned before she passed on.We will therefore do just that.We dedicate our shows including Joyous 19 Recording to the memory of our beloved sister Lihle.So Swaziland fans will be the first to join us this coming Saturday to celebrate her life.
We still request your prayers for the speedy recovery Sabu as well as that of Ndu,Lihle’s cousin who are still in Hospital.
We appreciate you Family.
God bless you all.”
Lihle Sowazi Memorial Service will be on the 4th December 2014 at The Church of Pentecost South Africa from 6pm Kwesi Acquah, Address: 59 Kempton Road, Kempton Park.
Durban service, 4th December 2014 Umlazi Oasis Fellowship centre unit W UmlaziTownship… from 1:30pm
The group urge everyone to continue praying for the drummer, Sabu Satsha.
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