The community of Muledane has been dealt a terrible blow, following the death of one of its pioneer business personalities.

Mr Peter Nnditsheni Manwadu (73) was one of the first businesspeople at Muledane outside Thohoyandou. He owned a butchery, café and farm, which had become like community projects as they benefited the whole community.

He passed away last week after a long illness and was laid to rest on Saturday. Hundreds of mourners, amongst them business personalities, traditional leaders and numerous members of the public from all parts of South Africa converged at the family home at Muledane to sympathize with the family.

Speaker after speaker spoke fondly of the good that Manwadu had done for his family and the whole community of Muledane and even some far-flung villages. Family representative Vho Mafanedza Manwadu said Manwadu had been ill for some time. “His obituary had been written many times, with people spreading rumours that he haddied, but he would always make a complete recovery and overcome his illness.

His younger brother, academic Livhuwani Manwadu, said he had left a legacy that should continue forever. “His humility, generosity and love for people are things that he planted amongst all of us and we hope the family continues being united,” he said.

Peter Nnditsheni Manwadu was born at Muledane in 1937. He was the second child of the late George Nyambeni Manwadu and Nyadenga Nyamutshagole Tshinyani Manwadu. He started his primary schooling in 1940, from where he proceeded to Maungani Beuster School. He could not go far with his education, however, because of his disadvantaged background. He was a very intelligent young man, which resulted in his being named Vhutali, which loosely translates as "wisdom". His first work experience was at the Wanderers Golf Club in Johannesburg in 1958. He went on to work for a company LK Jacobs, where he worked until his return home in 1974. He had accumulated enough money to start a business, which he did in 1976.