Despite her permanent disability, Lufuno Masevhe (38) was described by mourners as one of the champions of disabled people, whose contributions towards community development will never be forgotten.

Masevhe’s moving funeral was held at her home village of Haluvhimbi, outside Thohoyandou, at the weekend. She died last week after a short illness.

Friends, relatives and community members braved the extremely cold weather last Saturday and descended on the mountainous village to bid their final farewell to Lufuno, who during her lifetime alternated between her roles as an emerging entrepreneur and a fighter for the rights of disabled people.

Cllr Rapson Rambuwani, who is responsible for special programmes in Vhembe District Municipality, said Lufuno had left a void that would be difficult to fill. He said she had fought for the rights of the disabled in all the local municipalities within Vhembe. “Most of the buildings have been upgraded to accommodate disabled people because of her voice. Other disabled people have wheelchairs and working equipment because Lufuno stood up and spoke without fear. She showed that disabled people are only affected physically, but they are mentally effective because of the business activities she undertook. We will always remember the good work she did for our communities.”

Lufuno was born in 1974 at Tshivhilwi-Tshilonwe. She attended Tshilidzini Special School and Helen Franz School in Bochum, where she completed her Grade 12. She also obtained a qualification in computer science. During her lifetime, she involved herself in businesses like catering, construction and car washes.

She was buried in the Haluvhimbi graveyard, after a sermon by Pastor Avhasei Ramalida of the Evangelical Lutheran Church.