It is with very heavy hearts that we have to announce the sudden passing of Sister Sindisiwe-Promise Nzimande on October 4th. She was only 40 years old when God decided to have her return home to him.
Eulogy for Sr. M. Sindisiwe-Promise Nzimande
Be praised, my Lord, through our Sister Bodily Death, from whose embrace no living person can escape. Happy those she finds doing your most holy will. The second death can do no harm to them. Praise and bless my Lord, and give thanks, and serve him with great humility.
St. Francis of Assisi
On Friday, October 4, our fellow sister M. Sindisiwe Nzimande died unexpectedly and suddenly. She had a flu-like infection a few days earlier, went to the doctor, took the prescribed medication and rested in her room. She was back at work on Wednesday and Thursday because she felt better. On Friday, the feast of St. Francis, she was out in the community in the morning. It was all the more surprising that she later suffered from shortness of breath and was taken to the doctor. Throughout her life, she repeatedly battled with asthmatic attacks.
The doctor immediately sent her to hospital by ambulance. She died on the way there at the age of 40. Sister Sindisiwe was born on June 6, 1984 in St. Faith, Highflats. Her mother died several years ago. Her father died last year. She had a close relationship with her aunt Judy. She was like a daughter to her.
She joined our community on January 8, 2005 and was received into the Noviciate on February 2, 2008. Two years later she made her first profession and at the end of January 2015 she made her life profession in the parish of Kwamakhuta in Durban.
From 2011 to 2014, she studied at Damelin College in Durban and trained as an accountant. In 2014 and 2019, she also completed two internships in the central administration of our congregation in Oberzell Monastery in Germany.
After graduating, she worked in the administration of the region and in the children’s home in Mbongwolwane. She moved from Eshowe to Mbongolwane several times or commuted back and forth by car.
In December 2022, she was put in charge of the accounting department of our community. Sr. Sindisiwe had great respect for this responsible task. She was therefore very grateful that the previous regional treasurer, Sr. Liboria, continued to support her to the best of her ability.
Sr. Sindi loved working with numbers and was very conscientious in this area. She thrived in this profession. With the help of a correspondence course, she trained to become a certified accountant.
Sr. Sindisiwe identified very much with our foundress. It was very important to her to carry on the charism and mission of Mother Antonia. She also used social media to publicize our community. She cultivated intensive contacts with young women who were interested in religious life.
She also had a heart for the children at St. Joseph Child and Youth Care Centre in Mbongolwane. Her own childhood was not always easy. That is why she wanted to help ensure that the children had a happy future.
In community life, Sr. Sindisiwe sought out times of retreat and solitude. She took things very much to heart, was sensitive and offended easily, which was not always easy when living together. At the same time, she said what she thought and did not shy away from conflict.
Two semesters of study in Rome helped her to work on her personal issues and heal wounds.
Sr. Sindi was a good singer, strengthened the choir with her powerful voice and composed songs with texts by our foundress.
On the anniversary of her death, the Gospel from Matthew 11 was read, where it says:
“Come to me, all you who labor and are heavy laden. I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”
We believe that God’s promise to Sister Sindisiwe has now been fulfilled and that she has found rest for her soul.