Tears flowed freely at Kabwata SDA Church yesterday as family members of late gospel singer Chansa Katuntamfwa struggled to comprehend her sudden death, which occurred just three days after she delivered a baby girl.
Speaking during a church service held in her honor, a family member, represented by Austin Katuntamfwa, told mourners that Chansa, who died on Monday, had shown no signs of complications after giving birth.
The 28-year-old singer was first taken to Chawama Level One Hospital before being referred to the University Teaching Hospital (UTH), where doctors performed a successful caesarean section on Thursday night, delivering a healthy baby girl.
According to the family, the following days were filled with joy as Chansa admired her newborn, laughed with her sisters, and anticipated being discharged. By Sunday, doctors had informed the family she would go home the next day.
However, on Monday morning, Chansa suddenly began experiencing breathing difficulties. Medical staff attended to her and moved her to the emergency room, where she was placed on oxygen in an effort to stabilize her condition.
“She started struggling to breathe and the doctors tried everything possible to save her life, but God had other plans,” Austin said.
Despite hours of medical intervention, her condition deteriorated, and she was pronounced dead around 17:00 hours.
The family described her death as devastating, noting she had appeared healthy and strong just hours earlier.
Chansa was the last born in a family of eight children. She attended John Laing Primary School and Makeni Ecumenical School before marrying Warren Jalata, whom she leaves with two children, including the newborn daughter.
The family recalled that Chansa discovered her singing talent at a young age, often singing while doing household chores—a passion that grew into a full gospel music ministry.
Her sudden passing drew a large crowd of mourners to Kabwata SDA Church to pay their last respects, reflecting the many lives she touched through her music and character.
The gospel singer was laid to rest at Leopards Hill Memorial Park yesterday.
Sudden onset of serious breathing difficulties and death is what happened to my In-law also.People,is covid really gone?