A 91-year-old granny, who worked tirelessly as an underground activist to make sure the country was liberated, was given a hero´s funeral last weekend.

Granny Phophi Shandukani Luvhani of Mukula outside Thohoyandou was buried like a queen.

Hundreds of mourners from all walks of life packed the Mukula Seventh Day Adventist Church hall to capacity. Speaker after speaker described the good things the old granny had done and her contributions towards the liberation struggle.

Addressing the mourners, Premier Cassel Mathale said he was very touched when informed about the passing away of the granny. “We have heard of the good things she had done for this community and the country. We felt it would be a good thing that we come and be with the family, to lend them support in these trying times,” he said.

“She played a pivotal part during the armed struggle, harbouring our cadres and cooking for them under difficult conditions," he added.

Her son, Chris Luvhani, a former political activist and now a well-known businessman, has fond memories of his mother. "I remember when comrades were around. She would prepare more food and informers would pass the information to the police. She never once allowed herself to be used by the police to sell us out. She would be interrogated and police would never gain anything from her. She was so full of love that she would sacrifice everything for us and the course we had taken," he added.