The court heard how Mr Makono had become “aggressive” with a woman at the event, prompting Pfukani to retrieve the knife from the kitchen to threaten Mr Makono.
Others tried to diffuse the situation and asked Mr Makono to leave, which he did for a short time.
Instead of returning the knife to the kitchen, Pfukani kept it in his pocket – “not out of forgetfulness” but in case Mr Makono came back.
Judge Graham Reeds KC told the defendant: “You kept it even though you knew that Lazarus Makono was unarmed.
“He did return and he was the one who escalated the already volatile situation.”
The judge said he accepted it was not a premeditated killing and that Pfukani had “lost his temper” and attacked in “the spur of the moment”.
Lisa Wilding KC for Pfukani told the court: “This was a last-minute escalation of violence that had been bubbling away with persons in this room for some time.”
She said her client was remorseful, adding: “If he could turn back time, he would.”
Pfukani, who has previous convictions for affray and possession of a bladed article, was sentenced to life in prison with a minimum term of 18 years.
