Granny Sophia Nthai (100) was laid to rest at Tshifudi Mushungwa Cemetery on Saturday, 5 August. She passed away at her home on 30 July after a prolonged illness. Her burial, attended by numerous church and community members, followed the service held at the Evangelical Lutheran Church of South Africa (ELCSA) in Tshifudi, where she had been a senior member.
The family spokesperson, Mr Joseph Netshirando, also addressed the mourners. "As a family, we are celebrating the life of our grandmother. She had been a pillar of strength for the past 100 years and will always be remembered as a person who loved those around her. We thank God for blessing us with such a wonderful mother who had been there for us throughout the years. Her passing at the age of 100 clearly demonstrates that our granny was an extraordinary woman, protected by God for good reasons. She worked tirelessly for her family and provided for fellow community members due to her kind and generous heart. She was a wise elder who offered her wisdom and knowledge to everyone," he said.
Reverend David Sidimela of the ELCSA encouraged everyone present to follow the example set by Granny Nthai. "We worked together for a long time, and I can attest that Nthai was a selfless and trusted senior member of this church, who worked tirelessly for God. She was highly disciplined and spoke her mind when things were not going well in the church," he said.
The secretary of the CIVIC, Mr Rudzani Tshipepele, expressed his sorrow upon learning of Nthai's passing. "We have lost a great advisor, whose knowledge of our culture and traditions will be sorely missed. May her soul rest in peace," he said.