One of the finest sons to have emerged from Vhembe, Mr Jeremiah Bright and Peace Madzuhe, is no more…

Madzuhe (59) of Shayandima outside Thohoyandou died after a short but unspecified illness last week and was buried at the Shayandima cemetery at the weekend.

As news of his passing away spread, tributes from all corners of the country poured in. Thousands of people from as far afield as Bloemfontein con-verged at his house at Shayandima to pay their last respects.

Amongst the mourners were master TV comedian Joe Sdumo Mafela, representative from the provincial department of transport, national association of driving schools and the leader of the United African Apostolic Church, Archbishop Elias Mureri, who conducted the funeral.

Madzuhe was eulogized as someone who did not go far with his schooling but who displayed extraordinary abilities as a leader. He was chief of protocol in the church and ensured that the leader of the church travelled smoothly wherever he went.

He also showed his ability to lead, when he founded the first association of driving schools in order for them to engage government as one voice.

Family representative Mr Philemon Tshiakale Madzuhe said the deceased would be remembered for many things. “He was always smartly dressed and he had his special way of doing things and always wanted perfection,” he said. He said Madzuhe was always full of jokes that would make one happy, even when sad. “He was very articulate, never angry and full of jokes,” he said.

Madzuhe said he was a uniting factor in the family who would make it a point that they met and shared whatever they could as a family. He said he would visit all families with an intention of reviving family ties.

“We will always remember this great son of the soil who has done so much for our family and the community at large,” he said.

Archbishop Mureri said Madzuhe was a dedicated man who did not beat about the bush, who would speak his mind even if it would not be accepted, a man who always wanted perfection at all costs.

Madzuhe was born on June 21, 1950, at Duthuni village. He worked as a driver at Langlaagte in Jo-hannesburg before starting his own transport business transporting people and goods from Johannes-burg to Venda.

He was one of the pioneers in the driving school business in the then Venda, where he started his business, Thizwilondi Driving School, in 1975. The name changed in the 80s to the present Bright and Peace Driving School.

Madzuhe leaves his wife, eight children, six grandchildren and a sister.