The late Jeremiah "Trott" Mahwai, one of Tshirululuni High's beloved teachers, was laid to rest at the Madabani graveyard on Saturday, 3 February. Mahwai (59), who was also a former DA councillor of the Makhado Municipality and chairperson of the Vhembe Professional Educators Union (PEU), passed away at the Louis Trichardt Memorial Hospital on 29 January after a short illness.
Colleagues, family members, friends, learners, and community members came in their numbers to pay their last respects to the much-loved teacher. On the way to the graveyard, learners lined the road as a guard of honour.
The principal of Tshirululuni High, Ms Livhuwani Mashau, described Mahwai's untimely death as a big blow to the school. "Jeremiah was a very dedicated and disciplined educator and always committed to his work. He was loved by everyone and was my pillar of strength. He was always ready to go the extra mile, being a hard worker, and did his work selflessly. Our school is poorer in losing him; he will be sorely missed by the Tshirululuni High community," she said.
The family representative, Mr Chris Mahwai, said they were very proud of his uncle and everything he had accomplished in his life and within the community. "Trott played an important role in raising the standards of soccer and education in the local community. We are deeply saddened by his death, but we accept it as God's will," he said.