Celebrities
Nandi Madida celebrates her father’s retirement with emotional tribute
Nandi Madida has shared a deeply personal and emotional message celebrating her father, Dr Thami Mngoma, following his retirement as a medical doctor, describing the moment as her greatest highlight of 2025.
Taking to social media, the singer and media personality reflected on her father’s journey, revealing that the weight of his retirement has yet to fully sink in.
She highlighted the challenges he overcame to become a doctor during apartheid, growing up in extreme poverty and nearly losing his sight as a child, yet never once doubting his purpose.
“He became a doctor during apartheid, when the odds were deliberately stacked against him. He grew up in extreme poverty. As a child, he almost went blind. And yet, he never doubted himself. Not once,” she wrote.
Nandi credited her father’s resilience, discipline and unwavering belief in his calling for the life of stability and possibility she and her siblings were able to enjoy.
“Because of his mind, his grit, his discipline, and his unconditional love, my siblings and I got to live a beautiful life. A life of possibility. A life of safety. A life where dreaming felt normal,” she shared.
In the heartfelt post, she praised Dr Mngoma not only for his professional excellence but for the sacrifices he made quietly as a parent.
“The late nights. The sacrifices we didn’t even see at the time. The quiet consistency of showing up not just as a brilliant doctor, but as the best father you could be. You gave us everything, without ever asking for applause,” Nandi wrote, declaring, “Dad, you are my hero.”
She also revealed that one of the most touching moments for her was hearing her father say that his children had been good to him, a sentiment she said she holds close to her heart.
“Being good to you was never a burden. It was a privilege,” she said.
Nandi went on to acknowledge how deeply her father shaped the woman she has become, linking her capacity for love, ambition and faith directly to his example.
“I am full of love because of you. I love to love because of you. I am ambitious because of you. I believe in God because of you and because your life is a living testimony of faith, perseverance, and purpose,” she wrote.
She ended her tribute with gratitude and pride, signing off as a devoted daughter: “Thank you for choosing courage, again and again. Siyabonga 🙏🏽. I love you endlessly. You did that! Dr Thami Mngoma AKA Daddy! A proud daddy’s girl ❤️🥹.”
My personal highlight for 2025🥹❤️
Yesterday, my father retired as a Medical doctor.And I don’t think the weight of that moment will ever fully land.
He became a doctor during apartheid, when the odds were deliberately stacked against him. He grew up in extreme poverty. As a… pic.twitter.com/xNbksInCcz
— Nandi Madida (@Nandi_Madida) December 31, 2025
