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Community Mourns the Passing of a Local Hero

by Thaabit Kamaar



Mohammad Nambani was murdered on Thursday at a taxi rank in Kimberly. At this point, there is little detail regarding the motive or individuals who committed the crime.

Nambani was an exceptional young man who overcame numerous difficulties in his life. He was a scholar, an entrepreneur, an activist, a husband and a father. Most importantly, he was a guiding light to his community and the youth. To the rest of us, he was an inspiration.

A few months ago, Salaamedia had the privilege of interviewing him. He spoke about his life, his time in prison and how Islam and the Muslim community supported him in turning his life around.

Aslam Tawana, Chairperson of the Galeshewe Muslims Association, thanks Salaamedia and our COO, Ponty Moletsane, for giving Nambani a platform to share his story. Tawana recalls a fond memory he had with Nambani before the interview.

He said, “With regards to the life of Mohammed Nambani, [it’s] such an inspirational life for everybody. If you can listen to a life, to say that if Allah has given you a second chance, you grab it with both hands, and you turn it around. I remember us sitting in my private office at home preparing for this interview … Because the young man was nervous. It was going to be his first time on the radio. But as you know that interview went smoothly.”


Truly an Inspiration

Nambani embraced Islam when he was a teen, and after hanging around with the wrong crowd, he was incarcerated.

In the interview with Salaamedia, Nambani said in prison, he had a lot of time for self-reflection and the actions which led him to that point in his life.

He viewed his incarceration as a way to turn back to righteousness and the path of Iman. He promised himself that he would set an excellent example for others when he got out.

Nambani said, “That was my turning point. [Being with] Muslim people. People who were very committed, having that Brotherhood, and helping each other. I realised, no, Allah took me from outside and put me in this place so that I might realise, I must focus and revive my Iman to Allah.”

In prison, he would complete his matric and pursue tertiary education at the University of South Africa. After serving his time, Nambani said the Muslim community had welcomed him with open arms. They would become a vital support structure in his life.

They supported him through business ventures and helped him when he dreamed of raising a family. A dream which came true as he left behind a wife and a son.

Nambani was a leader in his community, as well as an advocate for those who are incarcerated. After attending a conference and realising the absence of prisoner representation, Nambani took it upon himself to fill that void.

“I was advocating … We should also [make] effort to [make] a conscious impact on those people. So, when they come out, they should be good examples. I know some guys who are very serious about Islam, but when they come out [of prison], through the challenges that they face, discrimination and stigmatisation, they feel discouraged, and then they relax and get back into crime.”

Through his knowledge and experiences, Nambani wanted to show prisoners that they had value. That people can change, and there is a place for them in a society where they have the opportunity to prosper and be a force for good.

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Impact of His Passing

Tawana said Nambani’s untimely death is a real loss to society. Not only to the Muslim community but to the community in general, as we might never see his like again.

“It’s a loss for the community in general because he was doing a lot of good work. He was also very active in various community structures. Over and above the Muslim structures and the Islamic structures in our community.”

Tawana had fostered a keen friendship with Nambani. From the time he left prison and through various stages in his life, Tawana, the GMA, and others have supported him. He was one of a kind, and his passing is a real tragedy.

We at Salaamedia would like to send our condolences to his family and friends. Surely, we will keep them in our thoughts and prayers through this difficult period. May he be granted the highest rank Jannah. Ameen.








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