Community members of Tshiozwi village paid their last respects to a well-known businessman and community leader, Mr Johannes Nengovhela, who was laid to rest at the Tshiozwi cemetery last Saturday. He died at the age of 92 after a short illness.

Mourners from over the province and the rest of the country marched from the Nengovhela house to the Tshiozwi graveyard, where he was laid to rest.

All speakers who shared the podium during the funeral ceremony described Nengovhela as a pioneer, a born leader and a man of vision. Mr Victor Nengovhela said the family had suffered a great loss with the death of their father. "It is painful to lose an intelligent father, but we thank God because he does everything for a reason. "May his soul rest in peace," he said.

Pastor George Mamburu of Nzumbululo ministries said the family and church members were in great pain after losing one of their beloved members. "We are very saddened by his death, but we will have to accept it because God’s will has been done. I am happy, because I had the opportunity of seeing him a few days before his death and he called my name, thereafter he spoke about the greatness of God," he said.

Nengovhela is the father of Limpopo Mirror’s correspondent, Kaizer Nengovhela.

He is survived by his wife, nine children, brothers, 33 grandchildren and 22 great-grandchildren.