KHUBVI – Although his family was too poor to give him a decent funeral, Fhatuwani Sikhipha (46) received a dignified send-off during a well-attended funeral at Khubvi village, outside Thohoyandou on Sunday.

Sikhipha died of liver cirrhosis at Donald Fraser Hospital last week Tuesday. Mirror published a report on Friday in which Sikhipha’s widow, Sylvia and her seven kids pleaded with the public to assist them in burying their loved one. We received dozens of calls from people who wanted to assist soon after the publication of the article, amongst them, Executive Funerals, Mudau Micro Lending, Mr Amie Chhaya, Khubvi Primary School and the contributions of the local community.

The Manager of the Shayandima-based Executive Funeral Service and Tombstones, Gideon Luula, said the company was touched soon after reading the report in the Mirror. The company released a casket worth R12 000 for only R4 000. They also offered a tombstone worth R7 000 for R2 500. The total amount for Sikhipha’s funeral was R19 900 and the company gave the family a discount of R12 800. Instead of paying the whopping R19 900, the family had to pay only R7 100.

“Sikhipha deserved a decent funeral although his family was too poor to organize one for him. We strongly felt that it is our civic duty to help them to bury their loved one with peace and dignity,” said Luula.

The Director of Mudau Micro Lending and Property Development, Mr. Divhani Mudau did not think twice after reading the plight of Sylvia and her kids. He immediately donated R2 000 towards the funeral costs of Sikhipha. “The article was so touching I felt that I must do something for the poor family. I have been following Sikhipha’s articles in the past issues of Mirrorand I always wanted to do something for the family. This is a way of giving something back to the community. I appeal to other business people to assist the family as the breadwinner is gone and there is no source of income. They did not choose to be what they are and they need our assistance to enjoy life,” said Mudau

The well-known local community builder, Mr Amie Chhaya, donated groceries worth R1 500 towards Sikhipha’s funeral. He also pledged to donate 80kg of maize meal and minced soup to the family on a monthly basis.

Teachers of Khubvi Primary School, where Sikhipha used to be a gardener before he fell ill, donated R800 towards the funeral. Concerned villagers and other community members managed to raise R3 320 for the funeral costs. Help was still pouring in at the time of going to press as individuals were still handing cash and food parcels to the poor family.

When approached for comment, Sylvia did not have enough words to thank Mirrorand its readers for their continuous support to her family. “Thanks a thousand times…” That was all she could say.