Ndivhuwo Makahane (21) of Hamakuya-Musunda was a bright young man who had many plans for the future. His trip to celebrate Youth Day at Kgapane Stadium ended in death at Dzingahe Village, near Sibasa, on 16 June.

Ndivhuwo alighted from the bus, which was heading for Kgapane, to buy airtime at the garage opposite the main road. He was hit by a car and died instantly.

A youth leader, Rofhiwa Netshipise, who was also in the bus, said they heard a banging sound shortly after Ndivhuwo alighted at the intersection. "We were surprised to see Ndivhuwo lying in the road and when we ran to assist, he was already dead, with head injuries. It is painful because we were supposed to celebrate youth day with him, but he died before we arrived at Kgapane Stadium. We are very sad to have lost an energetic youth like him, who dedicated his life to uplifting the lives of other young people of this country. We will surely miss him."

Insp Nkanukeni Raedani of the Thohoyandou Police confirmed the incident and added that the police are investigating a case of culpable homicide.

The chairperson of the Limpopo Youth Commission, Rodgers Tshivhase said that Makahane will not be given a pauper´s funeral tomorrow, Saturday at Ha-Makuya, Musunda village. Tshivhase, the mayor of the Mutale Municipality, Cllr Lucas Manyuha and representatives of the Youth Council and the ANC Youth League Mutale Sub-region visited the bereaved family on Tuesday at the remote area of Musunda village at Makuya Park.

According to the Tshivhase, his visit was not only aimed at consoling the deceased´s family, but also to find out the challenges faced by the bereaved family with regard to the burial of their loved ones.

A task team to assist the bereaved family with the preparations of the funeral was established on Tuesday and it is comprised of the Mutale Municipality, the Youth council, the ANC and ANCYL Mutale Sub- region.

The chairperson of the Youth council in Mutale, Eunice Matambatshika, said their structure is seriously affected and saddened by the tragic death of the fellow member. "Every time when we were working with him, he showed commitment and dedication," she said.

The chairperson of the Mutale ANC Youth League sub-region, Nndifheleni Vincent Mariba, described the deceased as a visionary leader because he spearheaded the establishment of the Tshamavhudzi ANCYL branch in his area and was elected as the assistant general secretary of the branch. "He was one of the delegates supposed to attend the regional conference of the ANCYL in Vhembe that will be held very soon. He was very supportive and always participating in all community activities. We will miss him and it will be difficult to replace him," he said.

A councilor for youth at the Mutale Local Municipality, Cllr Josephinah Nnditsheni Mashula, said that Ndivhuwo´s death came when they were still expecting more from him. The mayor of Mutale, Cllr Lucas Manyuha, described the deceased as a vibrant, loyal and responsible young leader. "We are seriously affected by the death of this young man because he was a breadwinner. We are also mourning his death," he said.

"As the youth commission, we are very touched by this death because Ndivhuwo died before he arrived to get and share knowledge with other young people as well as listen to the Premier delivering his speech. The fact that he was involved in various structures shows that he was committed to developing his community. In that regard, we are planning to conduct a respectable funeral," said Tshivhase.

Makahane, an instructor for Denzhe Security Services and a part-time student at the University of Venda, is survived by his mother, Nancy, two brothers and one sister.