A tree is best measured when it is down, said local civic leader Mr Tshilidzi Chauke.
This was during the funeral service of the late Mmbengeni Edward Tshivhi Nembudani of Khalavha outside Thohoyandou. Nembudani is the father of Ms Selinah Muthaphuli, the office administrator of Limpopo Mirror's office in Thohoyandou.
The funeral last Saturday followed a memorial service held at his home on Friday.
Nembudani passed on last week after a long illness. The memorial service was conducted by Dean Tshenuwani Farisani of the Evangelical Lutheran Church and the funeral on Saturday was conducted by the head of the Evangelical Lutheran Church's Devhula Leboa Circuit, Dr Alunamutwe Randitsheni.
In his sermon, Randitsheni called on the community to join the fight against the demon of corruption and the killing of innocent people as a way of showing honour to Nembudani.
Mr Nembudani, who was a well-known cattle farmer in the area, was eulogised as a very humble and God-fearing man who was loved by many. Chauke said Tshivhi Nembudani was an asset to the community. "Even though he preferred to keep quiet, he would contribute whatever was needed."
Ms Selinah Muthaphuli said her father's death had left a big void in the family. "He was everything to us as a family. He loved us all and he will be sorely missed," she said.
Tshivhi worked at several places before getting employment at the Johannesburg municipality until he retired in 1999. A die-hard supporter of Tshiawelo United Stars, he motivated the youth to take part in playing soccer.
He is survived by his wife, Ms Engelinah, six children, eleven grandchildren, great-grandchildren and two brothers.