Crown Gospel Music Awards founder Zanele Mbokazi. (Supplied)

• Crown Gospel Music Awards founder Zanele Mbokazi-Nkambule died on Monday morning.
• Tributes have been pouring in, with many sharing how much they adored the businesswoman.
• The Nkambule family shared in May that the Ukhozi FM radio host was diagnosed with lung cancer.

Tributes are pouring in for broadcaster, author, businesswoman, and Crown Gospel Music Awards founder Zanele Mbokazi-Nkambule after the news of her death on Monday morning. 

Mbokazi’s husband, Bishop Mpendulo Nkambule, shared a statement on his social media account. 

“It is with a heavy heart that we, the Nkambule and Mbokazi family, announce the passing of our dearly beloved Ms Zanele Mbokazi-Nkambule,” the statement read.

“She departed to be with the Lord [in the] early hours of 12 August, Parklands Hospital. We are grateful for all the prayers, love and support we received throughout her illness.”

In May, the Nkambule family shared with Ukhozi FM listeners that the mother of three was diagnosed with lung cancer. 

“During the operation, doctors discovered that Zanele has lung cancer, but through it all, we trust God,” Nkambule said on the show. 

He said the diagnosis had left their children and family shattered and asked for the family’s privacy to be respected.

After the news broke, businesswoman Norma Mngoma took to her Instagram account and wrote her tribute, saying Mbokazi kept her smile until the end. 

“We shared a lot of beautiful memories together; thank you for your love and the prayers you’ve given me. You ran your race with pride. We prayed and asked God to heal you, but his will was different.”

She continued: “Thank you so much to your family, who allowed me to spend time with you in your last days, you carried your big smile until the last day, you kept promising us that you will be fine. You fought so hard to beat cancer, but God’s will was different.”

Seasoned actor and businesswoman Sophie Ndaba praised Mbokazi for the sisterhood she provided. 

She wrote: “My sister love. How do I say goodbye? We still had so much to do and learn from you. You were the epitome of what others yearn for in sisterhood. Your love for God and family was beyond amazing. I know heaven has gained an angel, a power angel, ready to throw the best heavenly concerts and conversations for women and family.”

Actor Tony Kgoroge said he was shattered. 

“Mazet, my dear sister, my heart is paralysed; too many of you are leaving, and I don’t know what to feel anymore. I can only put my faith in God to believe that we will all meet again. Rest in creative peace.”

Other tributes from Instagram 

Here are some of the tributes from X: