It has been two years since the death of prolific South African actor Menzi Ngubane, but his wife, Sikelelwa “Sikie” Ngubane, is still struggling to come to terms with his loss. Ngubane passed away on March 13, 2021, after suffering a stroke. Speaking to Zimoja Lezinto, Sikelelwa said she had been receiving counseling to cope with her loss and grief.
Despite her efforts to deal with the tragedy, Sikelelwa says she is still struggling to adjust to life without her husband. “This year is hitting me hard because I think last year was busy with unveilings and documentaries,” she says. “It’s only now that I realize that my husband has passed.
I thought I had dealt with it. I mourned him for the whole year and then prepared to remove the mourning clothes and worked on the unveiling with his father and work on the doccie. I thought I was okay. This year, everything is calm, and I realize that I am not okay, at all.”
Menzi Ngubane was a well-known actor in South Africa, having appeared in numerous television series, films, and theater productions. He was best known for his roles in popular TV shows like “Yizo Yizo,” “Generations,” and “Isibaya,” among others. Ngubane was also a beloved husband, father, and friend to many.
His family launched a documentary about his life, called “Ngubs – The Life and Times of Menzi ‘ngubs’ Ngubane,” last year. Speaking about the documentary, Sikelelwa said, “South Africa is notorious for not giving props while people are still alive, we do it when they pass. For my sanity and the family as a whole, we need to make sure that he is not forgotten. He loved and respected his craft. I would love upcoming artists to learn from him, support or no support, we shall continue.”
At his funeral service, Sikie paid tribute to her late husband. “Myeni wami, sthandwa Sami, Dali, Ngcukumani, Somahhashi, Mbomvo, Nomaci, Nzombane, Nomasikisiki, Myaluza, Ngongozabantu,” she said. “You promised me that we will be together until we are 100 years but you broke that promise. I am so lost without you. We had so many plans Dali, uthi ngenze njani manje? I remember when I saw you on Yizo Yizo, I was 16 years old and I said ‘there is my husband’ and the universe agreed.”
“We met in 2004 at SABC, we dated, life happened and we parted ways. In 2013 May you walked into my office, I couldn’t believe that after all these years we will ever cross paths again, but God had his plans,” she continued.
She thanked him for loving her and said she doubted she will ever be the same again. “It was the beginning of our lives together. The most important, the happiest years of my life. Thank you for loving me, you made me feel so special. You have set the bar so high no man will be able to reach it. I am broken and it will take time to go back, I doubt I will ever be the same again.”