It’s been two years but it still hurts – Lerato Zah Moloi honours her mother Cecilia Candy

Actress and TV host Lerato Zah Moloi took to social media this week to honour her mother Cecilia ‘Candy’ Moloi’s memory on the second anniversary of her death. Best known for her starring role as Vho-Makhadzi on the SABC2 soapie Muvhango, Moloi lost her long battle in May, 2020. She was 67. As I post this, the time is just after 18h00… My beautiful Mama Candy transitioned to the other side within this hour, on this day, two years ago,” wrote Zah.

She added, expressing her grief and the agony of losing a parent: “… it’s been two years but it still hurts like it happened a few minutes ago…I don’t think it’ll ever stop hurting but I’ve learnt to live with this numbing pain…”
The star went on the share one of her fondest memories with her mom – their love for music. This was her favourite song… “Beautiful In My Eyes” by Joshua Kadison.

“Ma, taught me the lyrics to this song when she played it for me the 1st time and almost daily after then we would play it on full blast in the car maybe 10 times before giving other songs a chance… (I was in primary school then)…

“It has become one of my favourite songs too because it reminds me of the fondest memories that we shared together… I hold on to those memories dearly… I guess that’s all we can do when we lose the loves of our lives… memories don’t die like people do… Nwa-Hadzhi, edela zwakanaka Soni ya Mbelengwa… Muzukulu wa Sena… My love for you knows no bounds nor end my Queen.
Moloi played the original vho-Makhadzi in the popular soap Muvhango and was one of the original cast members who started with the production when it premiered in 1997. She was also a radio producer and businesswoman.

Rhythm City actress Lerato Zah Moloi bids farewell to her late mom Candy Moloi

Rhythm City actress Lerato Zah Moloi struggled to fight back her emotions as she spoke at the memorial service of her mother, veteran actress Candy Moloi on Thursday.

Candy, best known for her role as Vho-Makhadzi on the SABC2 soapie Muvhango, died in a Pretoria hospital on Tuesday after a long battle with cancer. She was 67.

She is survived by her son Tshepo, daughter Lerato and two grandsons.

In an intimate ceremony, held under strict protocols due to the Covid-19 pandemic, friends and family paid tribute to the actress.

Candy was praised for her generosity, humility and talent. She was also hailed as a community builder, with stories of her helping those in her community and the industry being shared from the pulpit.

An emotional Lerato was accompanied on stage at the memorial service, where she broke down while paying tribute to her mother.

“She fought like a trooper. She tried her best, but in the end she was really tired of fighting. My mother fought throughout her life. What pains me the most is she never got that break. She was always fighting through life, working through life. Always doing something for other people … She gave and got nothing in return.”

She said that she had wished to let her mother rest and enjoy her retirement, but now had to bury her.

Lerato said she saw her mother twice during lockdown, and that in her last moments Candy had lost her mobility. She explained that her mom had been in and out of hospital and rehab for the last two years.

She recounted her last moments with her mom, saying Candy was struggling but she had a few minutes with her.

“I spoke to her with faith that she would fight through this. I thought she would pull through. I said a prayer with her. I begged her. I pleaded with her to not leave because I still need her. I don’t want to imagine life without her. I am because of her. My world doesn’t make sense without my mother. I said those words to her.”

She said that she lost her mind after hearing of her mother’s death and felt her mother leave.

“I felt my mother going and the pain in her body leaving. When I got to the hospital, the numbness, pins and needles left.”

She ended her address, releasing her mother and wishing her a peaceful rest.

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Goodnight my Queen

A post shared by Lerato ‘Zah’ (@lerato_zah) on Jul 30, 2020 at 3:51am PDT

“Mama, I release you. Good night,” she said.

A second memorial service will be held in Candy’s hometown of Thohoyandou in Limpopo later this week, ahead of her funeral on Sunday. All ceremonies will take place under strict Covid-19 restrictions.

Lerato Zah Moloi On How Long It Took Her To Beat Covid-19

Another celebrity shares their great story of recovering from Covid-19. A week ago property mogul TT Mbha was happy to announce that he is coronavirus free. Kabelo and Gail Mabalane have both shared inspirational stories on their journeys with the virus.

Two weeks ago, actress Lerato Zah Moloi announced to her fans and followers that she has tested positive for covid-19. She regarded it as one of the hardest things she has ever gone through in her life. Lerato mentioned chest pains, breathlessness, excruciating headaches, diarrhea, nausea, dizzy spells and loss of appetite as one of the symptoms she experienced.

On a very happy note, Lerato has now announced she has beat covid-19. She thanked everyone who sent her uplifting prayers and messages during her difficult time. Many people take on average 14 days to fight covid-19, but for Lerato, she endured 21 days suffering from the virus.

“I cannot thank you enough for the messages and calls of love and support during my terrifying Covid-19 journey… Thank you for lifting me up in prayer… I appreciate you all and I do not take you prayers and messages for granted. You are all loved by me dearly. ♥️ Covid-19 tried to destroy me but I beat it… and so can you. We’re in this together. Please share your stories with me… let’s engage more on this topic and find ways dealing with it together… after all, what this pandemic has taught me is that we are all we have and that health the most important asset of wealth you’ll ever be blessed with… don’t hle we take your health for granted. God bless you all… please let’s keep talking and sharing.”

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GLORY TO GOD! GOD IS SO GOOD! ?I cannot thank you enough for the messages and calls of love and support during my terrifying Covid-19 journey… Thank you for lifting me up in prayer… I appreciate you all and I do not take you prayers and messages for granted. You are all loved by me dearly. ♥️ Covid-19 tried to destroy me but I beat it… and so can you. We’re in this together. Please share your stories with me… let’s engage more on this topic and find ways dealing with it together… after all, what this pandemic has taught me is that we are all we have and that health the most important asset of wealth you’ll ever be blessed with… don’t hle we take your health for granted. God bless you all… please let’s keep talking and sharing.

A post shared by Lerato ‘Zah’ (@lerato_zah) on Jul 19, 2020 at 4:21am PDT