Fhufhu, you may be gone but your memory still lives on.

Funeka, you're gone but not forgotten.
We rejoice in consolidation of the fact that you're resting peacefully in the arms of the Almighty God. Amen!

May Funeka's soul rest in perfect peace. She has fulfilled her responsibility on this earth. At the end of a story, there is nothing to say.
We love you but God love best.
Have a save journey to the Father.

The Lord knows best. May the gentle soul of Funeka rest in perfect peace…

Sisi Funeka,

You left us unexpectedly, it was and still a shock.

But we don't question God's will. We will miss those quiet conversations but very fruitful, your quiet smile. As a family, we lost a sister, friend and an aunt. We thank you for good memories we have had together including our trips to Ghana and we will cherish them forever.

We will miss you for a number of special moments, especially, when you offer us food, and we say we are full, with your smile you will say: 'Andizange ndilibone ingcwaba lokutya' which is loosely translated as 'I've never seen a grave of a person because of eating too much'

Rest in peace Sisi Fufu, you have moved on to God, but your memories would always live within your family and our household. Thank for your sacrifice, your care and love! Wherever you are, we know you are in a better place. We will always and forever be grateful that you have been part of our lives!

To uncle Charles, Abena, Yaw and Emihle, Mama, brothers and Sisters, both families (Larbi-odam and Dontsa) it is not easy but God knows why, He gave her to you, and He decided it's time to take her. Thuthuzelekani

Kwakye, Nokwanda and Children (Donkor family)

1 Corinthians 15: 55 - "Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?”
It is with a heavy heart that I write this tribute. I am one of those who was optimistic that Fufu was going to fully recover. Therefore I find it difficult to accept her departure. All the years I have known Fufu, I have not heard her complain of any serious ailment. She's always up and about so through this sickness, I know she will pull through.

Fufu is quiet but a great conversationalist. She's a good listener too. Fufu was very humble and accommodating. Fufu was a devoted wife and mother. She always makes me feel welcome anytime I visit.

We may be wondering what went wrong. Nothing according to God's plan went wrong. We grief because we have lost a loved one but she has fitted into God's grand design. Though her life on earth may be short, she has created an impact. For which I thank God for loaning her to us and I celebrate her life.

We are poorer for losing such a good person on earth but the heavens are rejoicing. Death is only temporal. I believe at the appointed time we shall meet again.

WHEN the day of toil is done,
When the race of life is run,
Father, grant Thy wearied one
Rest for evermore.

Fufu, I bid you good night, good night, good night.

        A tribute in respect of the late Funeka Larbi-Odam

The two families (DONTSA and MPONO) have always been quite closely knit together to the point of becoming one. Both families have each eight children comprising of five daughters and three sons corresponding as follows:
1. Mcoseleli and Vuyani (both deceased)
2. Ntombokuphiwa and Bongiwe
3. Nobubele (deceased) and Sindiswa
4. Funeka (deceased) and Nombulelo
5. Lindelwa and Yolisa
6. Phumelele and Zwelethemba
7. Luyanda and Bulelani
8. Zoleka and Fikiswa

Members of the Mpono family called Funeka ZIPAJANA (small purses) and Funeka calling them likewise in return. However the Mpono family members never called one another Zipajana. The name Zipajana was only used by the family to call Funeka and Funeka in return calling them likewise. There is a history to the origin of the name ZIPAJANA. 

Funeka has always been a pillar of strength for the Mpono family. To mention a few instances, when there was going to be a graduation celebration at the Mpono home in 1978, Funeka arrived days in advance to assist with the preparations thereof. Also when mama Gretta MPONO passed away in December 1981, Funeka arrived at the Mpono home on the day of the passing.  She was with the family throughout until a few days after the funeral. Socially, Funeka was a member of the Mpono family.

In the company of Funeka, there would always be robust debates with huge laughters in between. Funeka would be quite visible with her ever broad smile. She was always full of love and above all she was always full of life. Her always wearing a broad smile was testimony to the fact that she had inner peace.

At the old age, Funeka became close to Zwelethemba with the latter always consulting her for counselling especially on marital matters. Funeka was the closest sister Zwelethemba had so as to run to whenever he needed a shoulder to cry on. Even when Funeka had to talk tough to Zwelethemba, she always did all that with a broad smile.

The MPONO family has lost a significant member of the family and would like to thank the Almighty God for Funeka and her other siblings. Blessed is the mother who gave birth to Funeka as she (Funeka) was just too good for this evil world.

To this end, the Mpono family says farewell to our sister Funeka. You indeed are a hero who decided to take the bullet and save all of us from the two families. Nothing and No one will ever take your special place in our hearts.

HAMBA KAKUHLE DONTSA, DLUDLU, NODLABATHI, KWABEZINDLWANA, NYATHIKAZI KALUVUNO OWAVUNA UDLOMO NONTSELE UKUZE BAZUZE UBUKHOSI

DEATH BE NOT PROUD AS ONE DAY YOU WILL MEET YOUR WATERLOO

For me it’s the smile that I will miss the most!!

You may be gone from this world, but you will forever live in our hearts! Fare thee well

Funeka Larbi-Odam

The Lord God Almighty created man for fellowship,
First with Himself and then with fellow man
For this reason, He brings into our lives family and friends for seasons in time
Your family is one of such a kind
Thank God that He made you our friend while you were here on earth.

We shall always cherish the last visit you paid us as a couple in our home
You had just returned from Ghana
What a wonderful evening that was
We fellowshipped and reminisced till late in the night.

The following week everything changed
Oh how fragile life is.
It buds and blossoms like a rose
Then at the height of its beauty it fades away

Our hearts are broken , Our happiness dimmed
We find no pleasure in this existence
Our laughter, is wiped off our faces.
Our eyes are dimmed with tears.
Our vision of the future is very blurred.

The Lord gave you to us, and the Lord has taken you away;
Blessed be the name of the Lord.

To the family of Funeka Larbi-Odam,
We know that nothing can ever replace your tragic loss,
Our hope is that the heartfelt sympathy and affection of all those who knew Funeka and loved her, will in a small measure, help to ease your pain.

For we know that our Redeemer lives
And He shall stand at last on the earth;
And after this skin of ours is destroyed, this we know,
That in our flesh we shall see God, Whom we shall see ourselves,
And our eyes shall behold, and not another.

Oh! How our heart yearns within us!
To see the LORD and to see you once again.

Rest in the LORD, Funeka Larbi-Odam,
Until the redemption of the cherished possession.
Until we see you again
Until we are caught up in the clouds and are again united in the glorious heights
With our LORD and Saviour Jesus Christ.

Amen.

Wilson Honu Family (Mawusi, Mawunyo, Bukelwa & Wilson)

Dear Fufu:
Your departure from this side of eternity is one of the unsearchable ways of God. We were in a prayer meeting, part of our weekly prayer meeting, trusting God for a miraculous healing, not knowing you were literally taking your last breath and transitioning into eternity, on the 5th of June 2021.

Your exemplary life of humility and service to people (you were there for us all) is so refreshingly Christlike and we thank God for your life. Jackie and I had a recent taste of your Christlike life when we visited you, Charles, Abena and Yaw in your home in Accra, Ghana, in February, this year. Thank you for blessing us with your beautiful life, since we became family.

We mourn your physical departure, like people with hope because one glorious day, we shall meet you in glory in the presence of the heavenly Father. You will have a transformed body – the mortal replaced with immortality, and the tent, our present body, replaced with the permanent building, heavenly body, built by God himself.

Dear Sister: Rest in the perfect peace of God our Father. AMEN.

Kwame and Jackie Busumbru