The Ancestors called again, and Nomonde, the angel of our family, answered them.

Ms. Nomonde Funeka Zingitwa Saziru was born on October 29, 1984. The doctors predicted that she would live only six months, and another doctor said she would live only five years, but they were wrong.

Nomonde was educated at the McCarthy Teszler School. She enjoyed catching the bus to and from every day and participating in school activities. Her teachers and classmates frequently commented on how kind she was and how they enjoyed being in her presence. She graduated with a program completed in 2002.

Nomonde LOVED music, especially music with heavy bass, like Bob Marley. She would move closer to the speaker to enjoy it at its fullness. Growing up, Nomonde (AKA Pon Pon) loved to go outside and be pulled in the wagon by Dad or Tiriza and she'd smile big when the wind was on her face. She laughed a lot, especially when playing with her big brother Naz. He always knew the right things to say or do to make her smile bright and laugh out loud! She often allowed Beleda to do her hair if she was in the mood. After her older siblings went off to college, Pon Pon and her little sister Nandi became close. As Nandi grew up, she always helped her parents to care for her big sister Nomonde.

Nomonde had a strong will and fighting spirit. There were times when she had extreme health challenges, but when the odds of surviving were low, she would fight back and make a 100% comeback. By God's grace, she was not ill when it was her time to go and she slept peacefully as she transitioned.

Nomonde Saziru will be genuinely missed by her close family and friends. Nomonde was preceded in death by her paternal grandparents, the late Agweya Saziru and Tiriza Ilahuya, and maternal grandparents, the late Mr. Odell S. Smith & Mrs. Evelyn Littlejohn Smith. Her father, the late Dr. Nathan Kihumbu Saziru, Sr., also preceded her in death.

She is survived by her witty, dedicated, gorgeous, loving, honorable, devoted, heaven-sent mother, Mrs. Sylglenda Smith Saziru; four loving siblings: Mr. Nazan (Nathan) Kihumbu Saziru, Jr. of Atlanta, Georgia, Dr. Tiriza Saziru (m. Dr. Raja Swamy) of Knoxville, Tennessee, Dr. Beleda Saziru of Los Angeles, California, and Ms. Nandi Foster Saziru of Spartanburg, South Carolina; niece and nephews Miss Meena Saziru Swamy, Mr. Azad Saziru Swamy and Mr. Amar Saziru Swamy; caretakers, Miss Janay Jeter, Ms. Minnie McCollum, Ms. Ellen Smith, Ms. Modestine Byers, Miss Mary McCollum, Miss Lisa, Miss Paula, Miss Rebecca, Pastor Wilson, Ms. Rose Wannermaker, and the late Ms. Melva Yvette Hunter;  and a host of aunts, uncles, cousins, friends.