“I think I’m getting old” – Rebecca Malope falls on stage during funeral

DURBAN – South African gospel legend Rebecca Malope believes that age is finally catching up with her after she fell on stage during a funeral last Saturday, sparking widespread concern.

Malope, who escaped with a few bruises, blamed her footwear for the fall which sparked a frenzy on the SA gospel scene over the weekend. Malope was attending Zanele Mbokazi-Nkambule’s funeral at the Durban ICC on Saturday.

“I couldn’t wear sneakers to the funeral. I had to show respect at Zanele’s funeral. I wore high heels which caused me to trip on stage.”

Malope revealed that she bruised her knee and twisted her ankle following the fall. She acknowledged that she might be getting too old for the stage.

“The heels made me unstable even standing up, and I was left with a bruised knee and twisted my ankle. Since Saturday I’ve been receiving text messages from friends and family checking up on me. I think I’m getting old and I’m no longer that energetic,” she said.

Malope said that despite her own mishap, she was grateful that the late Mbokazi-Nkambule received a jubilant and vibrant send-off from thousands of mourners who gathered at her funeral service.

She was laid to rest at Mariannhill cemetery in Pinetown. The former Ukhozi FM presenter died last Monday at Parklands Hospital from lung cancer.

“Even though I fell many times, I thank God that my friend received a proper burial and her work was showcased successfully. I’ll be looking forward to taking a rest and nursing my knee at home, using ointments to make it better. I thank God I suffered minor injuries.”