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The family of 31-year-old SANDF soldier rifleman Tshidiso Mabele gathered at during his funeral service taking place at the local stadium in Paul Roux in the Free State.
The funeral services of several members of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) who were killed in the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) are under way across various provinces.
Friends, family and other mourners, including government and SANDF officials are part of the funerals.
The perished soldiers, who died last month during a crossfire between M23 rebels and DRC army force have been hailed for their loyalty, service and bravery.
Free State
In the Free State, Rifleman Tshidiso Mabele has been honoured in a military funeral held at the local stadium in Paul Roux.
SANDF Brigadier General KC Pakade described Mabele as someone who lived life with ease and epitomised selflessness.
Pakade told mourners to celebrate Mabele for his endurance and the fact that he died serving his country.
Pakade says Mabele leaves an indelible mark.
Limpopo
The uncle of the slain soldier, George Malesa, has told the SANDF authorities and mourners that Corporal Matome Malesa was not the first person in the family to be killed during deployment.
Malesa has said that their grandfather, Daniel Malesa, died during deployment in 1944 and his remains are still missing.
George Malesa was speaking during a funeral service of his nephew Corporal Malesa at Mashishimale village near Phalaborwa in Limpopo.
“Our brother Mokwape Daniel Malesa died in 1944 or 1955, he was a soldier from our family who died and till today his remains are still missing, but we are glad that my nephew’s remains have been found and are here back home, so we appreciated the SANDF.”
Malesa joined the SANDF in 2005. He was stationed at 5 Battalion in KwaZulu Natal. He was later transferred to 7 SAI Battalion in Phalaborwa.
He was deployed to DRC in a peace keeping mission where he met his death. He is survived by his wife and three children.
Other soldiers to be buried today in Limpopo include Rifleman Sebatane Richard Chokoe from Ga Mokgokong village outside Polokwane, Lance Corporal Metse Raswiswi from Botlokwa, Corporal Rinae Nemavhulani from Khubvi village outside Thohoyandou and Lance Corporal Moffat Molapo from Moroke near Burgersfort.
In the meantime, two of the funeral services of Staff Sergeant Theophilus Seepe from Schoonoord in the Sekhukhune District, Rifleman Calvin Louis Moagi from Ga Sekororo, are expected to be held tomorrow.
North West
Kefilwe Moreo says her husband Itumeleng Moreo was a soft-hearted man who she could always count on.
Moreo’s funeral service is being held at the Unibo Chapel in the North West capital Mahikeng.
Moreo says her husband loved his family very much.
“His love for me and the children, I never doubted it. He never wanted to see any of us crying because he would cry as well. If I cry, he will hug me and tell me everything is going to be all right. For these past weeks, I have been missing those hugs and him telling me do not cry please it will be alright. He was a very disciplined person, he wanted his kids to grow disciplined as well. He loved us in such a way that I will never forget. I learned a lot from him.”
Malesa’s daughter, Lesego, says the country can honour her father by remembering the sacrifices he made during the peace mission in the DRC.
Lesego has described her father as a loving person.
She says though his father might be gone, his spirit lives on.
“While his uniform was a symbol of his duty, his heart was a symbol of his love for us. He might not be with us physically, but his love and spirit will remain in our hearts forever. Today, instead of mourning his departure, let us celebrate the life he lived, the sacrifices he had and the love he shared.”
-Report by Ishmael Modiba, Mahlatse Phaladi, Katlego Nyoni & Zebelion Maine
