The Soutpansberg community this week mourns with the Chhaya family of Louis Trichardt, following the tragic death of Dr Sajira Lakhana in a horror accident last Friday.

Dr Sajira Lakhana, former Superintendent of Elim Hospital and spouse of Dr Mohammed Chhaya, was travelling with their daughter, the 19-year-old Fatima, and Dr Mohammed Chhaya’s driver. They were on their way to the Oliver Tambo Airport where Fatima would board a flight to attend a practical medical exam at the University of Natal where she is a first-year medical student. On the road between Mokopane and Mookgopong, the driver apparently suffered a heart attack. The vehicle swerved into oncoming traffic and collided head-on with a truck. Dr Lakhana and the driver were killed on impact, while Fatima suffered a fractured left arm. The accident occurred between 17:30 and 18:00 on November 19.

In the meantime, Fatima had been admitted to the Limpopo Medi Clinic where she is under observation in the intensive care unit.

“We are grateful to Allah who saved Fatima in this horror crash. We want to thank the community at large, especially the Hindu and Muslim communities, for their loyal, sincere and humble support,” said Fatima’s grandfather, Councillor Amie Chhaya on Monday this week. Dr Chhaya was still with Fatima in Polokwane.

Dr Sajira Lakhana’s funeral took place in Eltivillas at 12:30 on Saturday, November 20.

Sajira Chhaya was born in Pretoria as Sajira Lakhana on December 18, 1959. She studied medicine at the University of Natal. Her special field of interest was Obstetrics and Gynaecology and in this department she was the registrar at the Baragwanath Hospital. Sajira married Dr Mohammed Adam Chhaya on January 13, 1991 and since then resided in Eltivillas, Louis Trichardt. Fatima and Rabia were born in the space of two years and after caring for them full-time for some years, the medical profession called her back and Dr Lakhana rendered many years of excellent professional service at Elim Hospital until 2002. An auto-immune disease caused Sajira to slow down and adjust her lifestyle. Much joy was brought to the family when their third daughter, Ayesha, was born in March 2003. Since July 2006, Dr Lakhana practised in Louis Trichardt and was responsible for establishing the Diabetic Centre in Grobler Street.

“She was a very extrovert person, with a bubbly personality. She lived in an extended family home and adapted very well, maintaining excellent family relationships. Her unique words of wisdom will be remembered by us all. Although a doctor, she was very domestic and very humble. Religion-wise, she had a strong belief. She was sitting in the backseat of the car, reading her Koran, when the accident happened,” said the family.

Sajira lost her parents at a young age and was particularly fond of her father-in-law and mother-in-law, Amie and Kulsum Chhaya. “She was wonderful and caring, and like our own daughter. She cannot be replaced but we pray that her soul rests in peace,” Mr Amie Chhaya said.

Sajira Chhaya will be missed by her beloved husband, three daughters, her own brother and two sisters in Pretoria, as well as her father-in law, mother-in-law and every member of the extended family.