Lobamba Lomdzala Member of Parliament Marwick Khumalo has paid tribute to his late friend and former Senate Deputy President, Mpendulo Ngom’yayona Gamedze, describing him as “a coat of many colours” who connected effortlessly with people from all walks of life.
Khumalo spoke during the memorial service held on Friday at Metropolitan Church, where mourners gathered to remember Gamedze, who passed away on 15 May 2025 at the Women and Children Hospital.
“He was everywhere. He danced with the joyful, worshipped with the faithful and comforted those in pain,” said Khumalo, his voice laced with emotion. “We spoke every week, shared jokes and memories under a tree at my home. I didn’t think I’d be here this soon, saying goodbye to him.”
Their friendship began decades ago through the late Gundwane Gamedze, a former MP for Siphofaneni. The two would later serve in Parliament together. Khumalo, along with other mutual allies, supported Gamedze’s election into Senate, where he eventually became deputy president.
Known for his humour and charisma, Gamedze once found himself arrested in Botswana for carrying a bottle of alcohol in public. Khumalo recalled how dozens of Emaswati showed up at the police station to secure his release. “When he got out, he didn’t thank anyone. Instead, he just boasted about how popular he was,” Khumalo said, prompting laughter from the mourners.
Khumalo noted that Gamedze’s passing follows that of other close friends like businessman Victor Gamedze and Gundwane Gamedze. He said the loss feels deeply personal but added that, “Umdali uyapha, futsi uyatsatsa.”
Gamedze was also a founding member of the political and cultural group Sive Siyinqaba, where he eventually rose to become chairperson.
A family representative, Make Lukhele, described Gamedze as emotionally open, comedic, and supportive through both joy and sorrow. “He was truly a brother-in-law who loved us dearly,” she said, recalling how his wife called her in tears on the morning of his death.
Gamedze is survived by his wife, siblings, 18 children, 30 grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.
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