A well-known retired educator and church member from Makonde, Mrs Tshilidzi Lizzy Malume, was laid to rest last Friday, nearly two months after being shot during an attack at her family home.
The 67-year-old was hospitalised after an unknown intruder opened fire through the window of her house in the early hours of 30 April. She succumbed to her injuries in a Polokwane hospital on 20 June. The motive for the shooting remains unknown, and no arrest has been made.
Family, friends and community members gathered at the Makonde Evangelical Lutheran Church of Southern Africa on Friday for a memorial service, followed by her funeral at Zwiendeulu zwa Hamalume the next day.
Paying tribute to her mother, Rotshinyarothe Malume described her as a caring, prayerful woman who was a pillar of strength to her family. "She was everything to us — a friend, a companion and a reliable advisor. She believed in the power of prayer. Even in hospital, she asked us to pray for her. We hoped she would recover, but unfortunately, fate decided otherwise," she said.
Her brother, Edwin Malilanombe Ndou, recalled how, on the night of the shooting, the family had gathered to celebrate his birthday. "She insisted we take many photos, saying they would be useful at a memorial. We didn't realise she was saying goodbye," he told mourners.
Traditional leader Vhamusanda Vho Tshinetise Tshedza Ravhura urged residents to work with the police to fight crime in the area and expressed his condolences to the Malume family.
Born on 23 November 1959 in Makonde, Malume worked at Masikhwa Primary School until her retirement. She was also an active member of the Evangelical Lutheran Church. She is survived by her husband, Mr Marcus Malume, a prominent community leader and SANCO regional secretary in Vhembe, as well as three children and six grandchildren.