The South African Union Council of Independent Churches (SAUCIC) is saddened by the passing of former Ukhozi FM presenter, revered Pastor Dr Simon”SD” Gumbi whom it described as a General of Faith and a Kingdom Soldier. The 66-year-old evangelist known for his popular phrase “U-Amen Usekhona” passed away on Monday evening after a prolonged illness.
“We bow our heads with sadness, yet celebrate a life well lived for the Great Commission. He was a great giant that had had achieved spiritual journey milestones on earth. As the Proverbs say, a big tree has fallen, indeed a Baobab tree has fallen in our land,” remarked SAUCIC President Cardinal Archbishop Dr Modiri Patrick Shole who had known Dr Gumbi who hails from Standerton in Mpumalanga Province for the past 47 years.
Cardinal Shole said that the charismatic and anointed Gumbi had run the race of his mission ministry milestones while serving under the late Rev Nicholas Bhengu, Founder of Africa Back to GOD Crusade of the Assemblies of God (AOG).
“We wish to convey our deepest and heartfelt condolences to the bereaved Gumbi family, the AOG, the Body of Christ in General, Gospel artists including the many people across all walks of life whose lives he had touched and impacted through his ministry,” he emphasised.
Like his mentor and spiritual father, Gumbi was a trailblazer, passionate about serving the LORD, righteousness and winning souls to Christ, Shole observed.
He fought the good fight of sickness for a while, He has finished the race well and remained faithful (2 Timothy 4:7), what awaits him is a crown of victory.
SAUCIC had in recognition of his lifelong commitment to Evangelical outreach missions and Pentecostal ministry awarded Gumbi the International Ministerial Excellence Icon Award and medal at its Convention held in 2018.
A Provincial State funeral in honour of the gospel music producer who was a powerful voice and an icon in the South African religious landscape and beyond is to be held at the Standerton Sports Ground on Tuesday 22 July 2025 before he is laid to his final resting place.