In a scene that has shattered hearts across Zambia and beyond, Henry Mwape, the devastated husband of Chomba Nakazwe, broke down in uncontrollable sobs during his beloved wife’s body viewing on June 29, 2025, just hours before her burial. Chomba, a vibrant 30-year-old whose courageous fight against cervical cancer inspired thousands, passed away last week, leaving behind a legacy of resilience and a grieving nation. The gut-wrenching moment at the funeral parlor, where Henry’s raw anguish poured out, has sparked an outpouring of sympathy on social media and ignited urgent calls for better cancer screening. What drove this tragedy, and how will Henry carry on? This is the story of love, loss, and a fight that touched the world.

Chomba Nakazwe’s battle with cervical cancer became a rallying cry for health advocacy in Zambia after First Lady Mutinta Hichilema shared the heartbreaking news of her passing on April 29, 2025. In a poignant post on X, Hichilema wrote, “With deep sorrow, we mourn Chomba Nakazwe Mwape, who has passed away at the tender age of 30 after a courageous battle with cervical cancer. Let’s honour her legacy by promoting regular screening, that can save lives. MHSRIP

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.” The post, accompanied by a photo of Chomba’s radiant smile, went viral, amassing thousands of tributes from Zambians urging early detection to prevent such tragedies. “She fought so hard, but the system failed her,” one X user lamented, reflecting a growing sentiment that Zambia’s healthcare system needs urgent reform.

The body viewing, held at a Lusaka funeral home, was meant to be a solemn farewell to a woman who had become a symbol of hope. But as Henry, Chomba’s devoted husband, approached her casket, the weight of his loss became unbearable. Witnesses described a heart-wrenching scene: Henry, overcome with grief, collapsed to his knees, weeping uncontrollably as he clutched a photo of the couple from happier times. “She was my everything,” he was heard sobbing, according to sources close to the family. Friends and mourners rushed to console him, but the raw pain of losing his young wife—after months of watching her endure grueling treatments—left the room in stunned silence. “It was like his heart broke in front of us,” one attendee shared on X, sparking a wave of prayers and condolences under #ChombaLivesOn.

Chomba’s story had captured Zambia’s attention long before her passing. Diagnosed with cervical cancer at 28, she became an advocate for early screening, sharing her journey on social media to raise awareness. Her posts, filled with hope and humor despite her pain, inspired countless women to seek checkups, with one X user crediting Chomba for prompting her own life-saving screening. But the lack of accessible treatment in Zambia’s underfunded hospitals reportedly delayed her care, a point of contention that has fueled public outrage. “We lost a warrior because our clinics don’t have what they need,” an X post read, echoing calls for government action.

The funeral, held on June 29, 2025, drew hundreds of mourners, including community leaders and health activists, who hailed Chomba as a “beacon of strength.” Henry, supported by family, delivered a tearful eulogy, vowing to honor his wife’s legacy by advocating for better cancer care. “Chomba wanted every woman to have a chance to live,” he said, his voice breaking, according to Lusaka Times. The couple, married for five years, had no children, but their love story—marked by shared dreams of starting a family—has touched hearts nationwide. “May God continue to comfort Henry and family,” wrote Zambia’s Health Minister Sylvia Masebo on X, joining a chorus of leaders calling for national mourning.

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The tragedy has reignited debates about Zambia’s healthcare system, particularly the scarcity of cancer treatment facilities. Cervical cancer, one of the leading causes of death for Zambian women, is treatable if caught early, yet only 10% of women in rural areas have access to regular screenings, according to WHO Africa. Activists are now demanding government investment in mobile clinics and free HPV vaccines, with #ChombasLegacy trending as a call to action. “Her death is a wake-up call,” one activist told Zambia Daily Mail. Meanwhile, critics on X have accused the government of neglecting rural hospitals, with one user writing, “Chomba fought harder than our healthcare system did.”

As Henry faces a future without his soulmate, the nation is rallying around him. Fundraising campaigns on X aim to support his advocacy work, while churches across Lusaka have held vigils in Chomba’s honor. Her story, though tragic, has sparked a movement, with thousands pledging to get screened and donate to cancer research. Will Chomba’s legacy force Zambia to confront its healthcare crisis? Can Henry find strength to carry her torch? One thing is certain: Chomba Nakazwe’s light will shine on, even in the face of unimaginable loss. Stay tuned as this heart-wrenching story continues to unfold.