Before her tragic death on January 2, the late Princess Nunu Johnson had asked for prayers from her church and friends.
This was revealed yesterday during a memorial service held at the Bread of Life Church in Motshane yesterday. Family members, friends and the community had gathered in celebrating Johnson, who was stabbed 16 times, allegedly by her husband.
Speaker after speaker disclosed that the late 30-year-old had approached them asking for prayers. She had prayed for peace in her family, including her children, before she died, heard congregants at the memorial.
Bread of Life Christian Church Pastor Zweli Dlamini said there was an instance he had hoped to avoid, but was asked to address. On December 28, Johnson testified in the church, informing the congregation that she was unwell and requested their prayers.
Dlamini stated that after church, Johnson approached his wife and confided in her about domestic troubles. The church attended to her concerns and assured her that the matters would be further addressed and concluded on January 4.
He said that when he later heard Johnson was no longer alive, he was deeply hurt, feeling as though he had failed her.
Her husband, who had been on the police wanted list, was later found decomposing in a forest in Motshane on Wednesday, having allegedly taken his own life by hanging.
“I felt like I had failed her, in my mind I thought Johnson died because of the issue I had not managed to help her with,” he said.
He explained that Johnson had coordinated a wedding in the church from start to finish. On December 21, they held a Pastors’ Sunday, an event initiated by Johnson and her team.
Dlamini noted that Johnson worked closely with the praise and worship team and would frequently contact him whenever something was amiss in the church. He expressed hope that God would raise another Johnson within the congregation.
He added that the situation had left him feeling paralysed, and the reaction he received from fellow pastors after posting about Johnson’s passing had deeply shocked him.
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Dlamini said from the first day they received the news, they had been supported by pastors, the church, and the wider community. He illustrated his point with the story of Joseph, who had the gift of interpreting dreams but had no one to interpret his own.
“We had the toughest day last Sunday, but we appreciate the support we have received,” he said.
Dlamini added that as a church they were short of words, but assured the family that God remained present. He expressed gratitude to the community and the brethren for their continued support.
He recalled knowing Johnson for two years, noting that if she were present, she would be singing and dancing before the Lord.
He said that although they were grieving, Johnson was now resting in peace, having faithfully played her part while on earth.
“As her last pastor, I am not ashamed of the life she lived before me. That is why I stand boldly and declare that the devil is a liar. I have joy in my heart because of the support we have received as a family,” he said.
Meanwhile, Johnson’s friend Nomcebo Dlamini said there was a lot she could say about the deceased, as she had been like a sister to her.
She recalled meeting Johnson when she was about to be announced as a teacher at the Bread of Life Church, while Johnson was already serving in that role.
Nomcebo said they were deeply hurt by her demise, adding that only God truly knew.
She remembered how Johnson welcomed her as a teacher even before she was formally qualified.
On December 30, while on duty around 11pm, she viewed Johnson’s WhatsApp status, which read: “I speak peace over my house, over my kids, and over my mind.”
She commented on it, and Johnson replied, assuring her that all would be well.
“Surprisingly, in the morning when I knocked off before 6am, I greeted her, and she blue-ticked me and said Nkhosi. I boarded a bus, and when I logged into social media, I saw something trending, and I understand if many of us feel like she shouted and cried, but we failed,” she said.
Dlamini then extended words of comfort to the family.
She said their Principal at Bahai (Setsembiso Sebunye) Foundation Teacher Charity had been left shocked and in disbelief.
She said the situation was the same even at the institution, as she had studied there for three years.
Her friend Tania Nzuza said their last call was on January 1, at 6pm.
She said there were a lot of things that she said to her, stating that she was heartbroken about what had happened.
She then asked her family to stand strong.
“When we had travelled, she had always checked in on her children. There is a lot we can say about her, but we are at a loss for words,” she said.
