Mr Lufuno Patrick Mawela, a popular mechanic at Tshisahulu Siawoadza, passed away on 4 February and was buried at the local Dzindi graveyard on Friday, 10 February.
The 45-year-old Mawela was admitted to the Tshilidzini Hospital for two days after he had started suffering from diabetes complications two weeks ago.
The funeral was attended by relatives and friends, some from the Collins Chabane Municipality where most of his maternal family live. Members of the Seventh Day Adventist Church, where he was a member, also came to pay their last respects.
Speaking during the funeral service, which was held at his home, Mawela's uncle and former Vhembe Department of Education Curriculum Advisor Mr Daniel Mabasa said he was tired of burying relatives as a result of lifestyle diseases that could have been better maintained. Mabasa, who is also diabetic, urged the people to exercise regularly, eat healthy and take their medication as prescribed when they are diagnosed with diabetes. "The first thing I did when I was diagnosed was to accept that I am sick, and then I followed all the doctor's instructions. It has been 20 years now, but many people don't even know that I suffer from the disease. Diabetes (and unnecessary deaths) can be prevented."
Mawela was born at Dzindi in 1977 and attended school at Dzindi Primary and Magalanngwe Secondary school. He is survived by his father, Mr Tshimangadzo George Mawela, his mother Ms Mphephu Florah Mawela, children Phindu and Dakalo Mawela, two brothers and three sisters.