Hundreds of mourners, including members of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) and learners of Mbilwi Secondary School, paid their last respects to the late wife and two children of an EFF councillor in the Thulamela Municipality, Cllr Fhatuwani Begwa, during an emotional funeral service held for them on Sunday, 14 August.
Stephina Begwa (34) and her two children, Gudani (14) and Munangiwa (2), died in a horrific car accident on the R524 road in Levubu on Monday, 8 August. According to reports received, an oncoming sedan's driver lost control and it collided head-on with the vehicle the Begwa family members were travelling in. Cllr Begwa and his eight-year-old son, Rendani, were the only survivors.
Stephina and the children were buried at the Mbaleni Municipal Cemetery.
The spokesperson for the bereaved family, Advocate Tshifhiwa Matodzi, said they were still heartbroken by the incident. "Gudani, who was a Grade 8 learner at Mbilwi Secondary School, had a promising, bright future ahead of him at one of the best schools in Limpopo, while Stephina, as the caring and loving mother of the family, has left a prominent gap," said Matodzi.
The principal of Mbilwi Secondary School, Mr Cedrick Lidzhade, said Gudani was one of the bright learners in his class. "The school is here to pay tribute to Gudani. He will certainly be missed by his fellow classmates. May his soul rest in peace," said Lidzhade.
Representing the EFF in the Vhembe region, Cllr Rebecca Mohlala said the party was saddened by the great loss suffered. "The EFF mourns with pain and sympathy this tragedy that befell the Begwa family. Our heartfelt condolences to the family," Mohlala said.