A young soldier from the region, who died while serving her country, was laid to rest in her home town.

The 21-year-old Hulisani Tshiambwa of Tshirolwe Village, in the Nzhelele area, was buried during a semi-military funeral on Saturday, 21 September. According to the communication officer of the Makhado Air Force Base, Sergeant Thomas Mulaudzi, Hulisani was killed in a motor vehicle accident while on assignment near the Mozambique border.

She was part of the South African Infantry Battalion’s (2 SAI BN) Alpha Company that was deployed on the border between South Africa and Mozambique. She, together with the company, was deployed to protect the border from the influx of illegal immigrants and smugglers. While driving in a Samil truck back to the company’s base, the driver of the truck lost control and the truck overturned. Hulisani was killed instantly.

Hulisani was scheduled to return home on 26 October.

She was born and bred in Tshirolwe. After completing her primary education at Shirolwe Primary School, Hulisani completed her higher education at Nngweni High School in 2010.

Before Hulisani joined the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) she enrolled at the University of Pretoria to fulfil her dream of becoming a health practitioner and received various certificates. She then completed her basic soldier training and was assigned to 2 SAI battalion under the command of Lt Col Moralo.

According to Moralo, Hulisanie contributed much of her time serving the country while bringing peace and stability to the Democratic Republic of Congo under the auspices of the United Nations (UN) Mission. “She served with loyalty and pride, both as a citizen and a volunteer,” said Moralo.

During Hulisani’s funeral, a close friend and colleague, Private Bongiwe Zondo, described her as a fighter. “Huli would, whenever she wanted to do something, do it without hesitation. She was very firm in making her decisions and was loved by many and friendly to all,” said Zondo.

Hulisani leaves behind her mother Mboneni, her sister Mpho and her brother Timothy Tshiambwa.