Hundreds of people gathered at the small village of Matsila on Saturday to pay their last respects to the late Muofhe Florah Mashamba (90) who died last Sunday after a long illness.
She was one of the founders of the Matsila Development Trust.
Scores of mourners, including Minister of Public Services and Administration Collins Chabane, Thovhele Vho-Mbangiseni Masia, Chief Livhuwani Masia and community members, attended the funeral.
Although the atmosphere was subdued, the ceremony resembled a celebration of a life well lived and, according to everyone who knew her, Vho-Florah fully dedicated her life to the Lord.
Chief Livhuwani Matsila described her as a pioneer, a born leader and a woman of vision. He said the whole community gathered with heavy hearts because she had been influential in the area. The royal family, family and community were in great pain after losing one of their respected beloved.
Her son, Mr Norman Mashamba, described his mother as "an angel who brought up her children with love and affection. We wipe our tears, because we know that she served the Lord every minute of her life. God has done his will and ours is to accept," he added. Mashamba also mentioned that his mother had been a dedicated member of the Swiss Mission Church and that the church had undergone a positive metamorphosis because of her.
The late Mrs Mashamba had seven children, six of whom are still alive.