Gender activist and founder of the Munna Ndi Nnyi Men's Forum Bardwell Mufunwaini has been dealt a terrible blow with the passing of his beloved wife, Ms Tintswalo Lorraine Mufunwaini. Lorraine (65), a retired health professional from Shayandima, passed away after a long but unspecified illness on Friday, 21 June. She was buried on Friday, 28 June.
She was the first family member to be buried at the Mufunwaini burial grounds situated on Mufunwaini's farm at Lwamondo Hamugomeli. Her burial was preceded by a memorial service held in her honour on Thursday, 20 June 2024, at the Shayandima Full Gospel Church, just opposite her house. The memorial sermon was conducted by Bishop Mungoni Muhali. The funeral service was also held at the same church, and the burial rites were performed by Pastor Tshisamphiri Ramahala.
Despite being held on a weekday, the church gallery was filled with many community members, relatives, friends, Lorraine's family from Collins Chabane, community structures, and politicians. She was eulogised as a straight talker who always spoke her mind openly, a unifier, a humorous and peace-loving person who loved all people around her.
Paying tribute to his wife, Mufunwaini described her as a lifelong partner who had defied all the odds to build her family. "She was a strong-willed woman who defied all the storms and remained faithful to our cause until the end. She had a big heart filled with love for her family and was also a uniting factor among families," he said.
Regarding his private burial ground, Mufunwaini was quick to point out that the matter had been well thought out and discussed at family level. "It was through family consensus that we decided to utilise part of the farm as a burial ground. I discussed this with my wife that if I die first, they should bury me at the farm. Lorraine also told me to bury her at the farm if she was to pass on before me. This is her wish. After the pact, I went through the protocols with the local traditional leader and the municipality, and everything was legalised. We will continue resting all our family members here," Mufunwaini said.