Vho-Mafanedza Sarah Mukwevho (78), a well-known figure at the Sibasa Post Office just more than a decade ago, passed away last Thursday (29 August) after a long illness.

Many of the older residents of Makonde and the surrounding villages will remember Vho-Mafanedza as a pioneer of the telecommunication industry in the early eighties, when modern technology was still unheard of. They will recall her smiling face while sitting on a wooden bench in a small room at Makonde Restaurant. There, she would wait for the Lukoto Bus Service to deliver letters from the Sibasa Post Office, which she would read out and hand to the community through a small window twice a week. When a proper modern post office was built by the then Venda government, Vho-Mafanedza continued to serve the local people with diligence until she retired at the age of 65.

Besides her role as a community builder, Vho-Mafanedza was a staunch Christian and an active member and elder of the Uniting Reformed Church of Southern Africa.

Vho-Mafanedza’s son, Ndatiso Mukwevho, said the death of his mother was a terrible blow to the family as she had been an anchor whose love and guidance would be missed by everyone. “We are deeply saddened by the passing of our dear mother. Although she was not well, we had hoped that she would recover and continue her role as an elder and mother to everyone who enjoyed her caring heart and wisdom.”

Vho-Mafanedza was married to the late Vho-Nndanganeni Elias Mukwevho, a senior police officer with the then Venda National Police. She is survived by her six children and grandchildren. She will be buried this Saturday (7 September) at Makonde village.