Pretoria - The love between Hope Zinde and her son dominated speeches during a memorial service for the veteran journalist in Mamelodi on Thursday.
Mourners spoke of how Zinde lived for her son Mark Warona and did everything she could for him.
Zinde’s family, friends and colleagues gathered at the Mamelodi Central Methodist Church in Tshwane, where Zinde was a worshipper, to pay their respects.
Her body was found in the boot of her car at her Pecanwood Estate, Hartbeespoort, home on Saturday.
Warona was arrested and appeared in the Brits Magistrate’s Court in connection with her murder. He was due to make his second court appearance on Friday, after being charged with murder and possession of drugs.
Nomsa Nkuna, who spoke on behalf of her friends, asked the Zinde family to support Warona. “She literally lived for that boy,” she added.
Former SABC colleague Alice Mkhabela said the truth about the murder would come out. “We know that she loved her son and her son also loved her, but the truth will come out,” she said.
Minister of Public Service and Administration Ngoako Ramatlhodi urged everyone to make sure that Warona got the support he needed.
He said he had a close relationship with Zinde, which started when he was Limpopo premier. “Our relationship became so deep that I became part of her family.”
The minister said his heart dropped when he saw Warona on TV appearing in court for his mother’s murder.
He called on the church, parents, government and schools to unite to fight the drug scourge.
“Let us pray for Warona. He is our child and he will remain so, regardless,” Ramatlhodi added.
Sana Mokgele, Zinde’s class leader in the Methodist Church, said the journalist had a strong relationship with her son.
“She lived for that boy. Her son also had the same love for his mother.”
Whenever Zinde attended church, she would have her son by her side, Mokgele said.
Zinde was described as a devout Christian who was active in the church.
Mourners described Zinde as an intelligent, educated and no-nonsense woman, who had a generous heart and always went out of her way to help others.
Memorial services were also due to take place on Friday afternoon at the Hellenic Community Centre in Pretoria and at the SABC.
Zinde will be buried on Tuesday.
Pretoria News