Sibongile Mashaba
Sibongile Mashaba
The community of Soweto relived the recent devastating floods during the funeral service of Boikhutso Mokate, 13, a niece of President Kgalema Motlanthe.
Boikhutso was one of two young girls who died during flash floods in the area. Three other people were swept away, including 20-day-old Gift Junior Mdakane, taxi driver Orlando Chauke, 29, and an unidentified cyclist.
More than 40 people were injured and 200 families left destitute.
Motlanthe is married to Mapula, the sister to Boikhutso's mother. Speakers bid the teenager farewell at Kopanong Community Hall in Dobsonville.
She was described as an obedient, loving and respectful child.
She died trying to save her seven-year-old sister Pheletso.
When Tsakane Mokandabile, who witnessed the tragedy, addressed the mourners, many in the hall burst into tears.
"I saw the taxi she was in being swept away," Tsakane said.
"Her sister kept asking me 'who is going to do my hair?' I told her I would,"
She said she was in another taxi and was helped by the driver and another passenger to get out and sit on its roof.
"This was tragic. None of us expected this to happen," she said.
A sad farewell for Boikhutso
Sibongile Mashaba
Sibongile Mashaba
The community of Soweto relived the recent devastating floods during the funeral service of Boikhutso Mokate, 13, a niece of President Kgalema Motlanthe.
Boikhutso was one of two young girls who died during flash floods in the area. Three other people were swept away, including 20-day-old Gift Junior Mdakane, taxi driver Orlando Chauke, 29, and an unidentified cyclist.
More than 40 people were injured and 200 families left destitute.
Motlanthe is married to Mapula, the sister to Boikhutso's mother. Speakers bid the teenager farewell at Kopanong Community Hall in Dobsonville.
She was described as an obedient, loving and respectful child.
She died trying to save her seven-year-old sister Pheletso.
When Tsakane Mokandabile, who witnessed the tragedy, addressed the mourners, many in the hall burst into tears.
"I saw the taxi she was in being swept away," Tsakane said.
"Her sister kept asking me 'who is going to do my hair?' I told her I would,"
She said she was in another taxi and was helped by the driver and another passenger to get out and sit on its roof.
"This was tragic. None of us expected this to happen," she said.
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