Pupils, educators, family members and friends wailed and sobbed openly when the coffin of Ndivho Nephawe was lowered at the Vhurivhuri graveyard, near Makuya, on Saturday.

The brave, ailing boy, who was supposed to celebrate his seventh birthday yesterday (Thursday) was buried amidst huge interest. Ndivho became a household name in the area when Mirror covered his agony and suffering several times in the past few months. Help from sympathetic readers was already pouring in when he lost his battle against the mysterious disease at Tshilidzini Hospital last week. The boy was also showing some signs of improvement, but death caught up with him before he could recover fully.

Born healthy and bouncy and full of dreams, the little boy’s wishes were crushed when he was attacked by a mysterious disease earlier this year. Troubles started when he developed a small pimple on his right thigh. The pimple grew bigger and bigger, making it impossible for him to play, sleep or go to school. His once healthy body was reduced into a shadow of his former self as he became leaner day by day. He had also developed lumps on his head, which made it shapeless. The sores in his mouth made his life a misery.

He only attended school for two months at Tshibalo Primary School earlier this year, before he dropped out, due to the illness.

During the funeral, the deceased boy’s uncle, Raymond Nephawe, told mourners that the family had accepted what happened. "Although it is hard to accept, we know that God did His will for a reason. We tried hard to have the boy cured in his lifetime but unfortunately, we could not win. Our hearts are bleeding with pain when we lose a young boy like him. We thought he would grow up to complete his education and bring light to his indigent family."

Nephawe thanked Mirror at the funeral. "Ndivho was hailed a hero because of the publicity he received through Mirror. Although he had passed away, we would like to thank the newspaper for the role it played during his lifetime."

Ndivho’s mother, Thinavhuyo Nephawe, who was comforted by relatives, could only say: "How on earth could this happen to me? Ndivho was the apple of my eye and I’m now shattered," she sobbed.