Thousands of community members, taxi and bus owners paid their last respects to well-known businessman Phineas "Babs" Babadu, who was laid to rest in Louis Trichardt on Sunday.
He died at the age of 69 after a long illness in Louis Trichardt Memorial hospital last Tuesday night.
During the funeral, Babadu was described as a pioneer, a born leader and a man of vision. He was the husband of the Cllr Martha Babadu of the Makhado Municipality.
His younger brother, Mr Dan Babadu, said it was hard to accept the death of his brother. "Our hearts are bleeding as we lost a pillar in our community. We depended on him for advice and we learnt a lot from him during his lifetime."
His daughter, Ms Olivia Babadu, said that her father was very solemn, restrained and dignified man. "For many years, he served selflessly and faithfully in parishes throughout the country, and he made himself available day and night to all who needed him," she added.
The deputy chairperson of Makhado Long Distance Taxi Association (Malta), Mr Thomas Ludere, said that his association was saddened by the death of one of their own. He said the grief that the family was experiencing "also touches us and we will always remember him, because he had done so many good things for this taxi industry and community".