The late well-known taxi owner and businessman, Mr Thomas Madzunya, was laid to rest at his farm in Madombidzha on Sunday, 14 January, where numerous family members, friends, taxi owners, and drivers gathered to pay their last respects. Madzunya (73) died in the Crestcare Zoutpansberg Private Hospital on Wednesday, 3 January, after a long illness.
Many speakers expressed their condolences to the Madzunya family and described the deceased as a pioneer, a born leader, and a man of vision. His daughter, Ms Lufuno Madzunya, said accepting the death of their father was hard. "Our hearts are bleeding. We lost a pillar at home and in our community, someone we depended on for advice. We learnt a lot from him during his lifetime. My father was a very strict businessman, but for many years, he served selflessly and faithfully in parishes throughout the country as a member of the Faith Mission Church, and he made himself available day and night to all who needed him," she said.
Mr Mashamba Maphaha, chairperson of the Dzanani II Taxi Association, said they were saddened by the death of one of their own. "The grief that the family is experiencing also touches us, and we will always remember him because he had done so many good things for the taxi industry and community. Madzunya had worked tirelessly for the development of the industry, and his contributions will remain for all to see. We have really lost a giant, who was always in the forefront of our struggle for better services to our clients. We will miss him," he said.