Father’s Day Turns to Sorrow: Zakes Bantwini Opens Up About How His Beloved Dad Was Fatally Gunned Down at Family Home
In a heart-wrenching revelation, Grammy-Award winner Zakes Bantwini, known by his birth name Zakhele Madida, took to Instagram on Father’s Day to share the traumatic and painful circumstances surrounding his father’s untimely death.
The iMali hitmaker, still grappling with the devastating loss, opened up about the tragic incident that unfolded at his family home.
Zakes Bantwini’s father, Sihlangusihle Jeffrey Khanyile, was tragically gunned down at his homestead in eNkandla, located in the northern region of Kwa-Zulu Natal in front of his family.
The incident, which occurred on January 4th, shocked the community and left the entire family in a state of profound grief.
As Father’s Day arrived, Zakes Bantwini shared a poignant video from his father’s funeral on his Instagram page, accompanied by a heart-wrenching caption that expressed his deep sorrow.
“Ukuhlabelela kusumthokosiza odabukileyo 🕊️💔, First Father’s Day without you and I am not okay.
Happy Heavenly Father’s Day to you Ngwane// Bhilibane// kajajela// kamajozi// wena wasobala// wase shashalazini// Khanyile. Lala ngo Xolo Shlangu Esihle❤️,” he concluded, adding a red heart emoji to symbolize his eternal love.
Meanwhile, following his death, Zakes Bantwini’s wife, Nandi Madida took to Instagram to share a touching tribute dedicated to her late father-in-law. Fondly remembering him as a loving and humorous man, she expressed her gratitude for his warm acceptance and described him as a father figure in her life.
“I am eternally grateful by the kindness you showed me as your daughter-in-law; you truly made me feel like your daughter in love. You had a wicked sense of humour that we will miss dearly; thank you for making me feel like family and welcoming me so warmly. You are with your creator now,” she wrote.