Family loses father and son within just eight heartbreaking days, leaving a Tsakane household drowning in grief.
The Tshabangu family from Ekurhuleni is still trying to come to terms with the sudden deaths of 33-year-old Sphiwe Tshabangu, who passed away on 1 January, and his father, Archbishop Johannes Tshabangu of Selekane Se Secha Apostolic Church, who died on Thursday, 8 January while preparing to bury his son.
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Family member Matshepo Tshabangu said the pain is unbearable, describing how tragedy struck twice when the family least expected it.
“We were still preparing to bury my brother when another disaster hit us,” she said through tears.
According to Matshepo, Sphiwe had been struggling with nyaope addiction.
Friends later told the family that he had injected himself in an attempt to get a fix, but missed the vein, which caused severe complications.
“They said he injected himself in the wrong place. After that, his health changed. He kept complaining about pain all over his body,” she said.
Despite this, the family shared a moment of joy on New Year’s Eve.
“On 31 December, Sphiwe was happy. We spent the night together and had a braai. Nothing showed that we were about to lose him,” said Matshepo.
But in the early hours of New Year’s Day, their lives were turned upside down.
Ntombikayise Tshabangu and his late brother Simphiwe Tshabangu in their happier times.
“He was in his room screaming in pain, calling for our father. My father rushed to him and found him suffering badly. He was taken to the hospital, but he died a few hours later,” she said.
Looking back, Matshepo believes her brother may have sensed his end was near.
“He told his friend on 31 December that if anything happened to him, it would be okay. Now I believe he was already in pain and knew his time was coming,” she said softly.
As the family prepared for Sphiwe’s funeral, scheduled for 10 January, another blow followed.
On 8 January, Archbishop Tshabangu visited the undertaker to make final arrangements for his son. Later that day, he preached at a church service held at home.
“He opened the Bible at Jeremiah 8, verses 21 and 22, and spoke about the pain of losing a child, especially one who struggled with nyaope,” said Matshepo.
After the service, he thanked church members and the community for standing by the family during their darkest hour.
Moments later, tragedy struck again.
“A minute after preaching, he struggled to breathe. He was given water, drank it, and then collapsed,” she said.
He was rushed to the hospital but was declared dead on arrival.
“My brother’s death deeply broke my father. Going to the mortuary to prepare his son’s body may have affected him even more.
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“This pain is too heavy. We lost two pillars of our family in just eight days,” said Matshepo.
The father and son were laid to rest together on Sunday, 11 January, at Flakfontein Cemetery.
