Grieving mourners from around Vhembe and pupils from the Tshiozwi and Mukwudwana Primary Schools wept profusely as the coffins of two young girls, Samaria Raphunga and Mapula Raphulu (11), were lowered. The two girls drowned in a stream near Tshiozwi a week ago.
During the funeral ceremony, the circuit manager of Soutpansberg West, Ms Mashudu Makatu, urged the community to stand up and fight to ensure that the lives of children are safe. She appealed to the local community to give the families the necessary support while they go through this ordeal.
Local community members who came to comfort the family felt they had to do something to help and the ward councillor and civic decided to approach different funeral undertakers for assistance. They were warmly welcomed by Nzheleles, Fhatuwani and Tshitshithe funeral undertakers, who agreed to bury the childrens free of charge. They gave the family a coffin, a tombstone and a free funeral service.
Martha Raphulu, one of the mothers, said they were humbled by the gesture from the donors. "We were confused and stranded after the tragic loss of our children and we did not know what to do," she added. Martha thanked the people who had made contributions during the funeral.