Katlehong family bid farewell to four siblings killed in shack fire
The four siblings were buried side by side at Thomas Titus Nkobi Memorial Park (previously known as South Park Cemetery) in Boksburg on June 23.
The City of Ekurhuleni, schools and the Lunika and Njozela families from Sunrise, Katlehong South, joined hands to give four siblings a farewell on June 23.
Mourners gathered at the Assembly of God Church on June 23 to bid their final farewell to Nqobile Njozela (3), Ayabonga Njozela (5), Lilitha Njozela (7) and Philile Njozela (10), killed in a fire on June 17.
The children died with 31-year-old Ernest Moloi, the boyfriend of Bulelwa Njozela in a shack fire.
Ekurhuleni Executive Mayor Sivuyile Ngodwana attended the service to express his condolences to the family before leaving for other commitments.
He encouraged the families to comfort each other, call on for God to give them strength and continue believing in God.
“There are many questions but no answers. Please focus on God and give all your burdens to him because he knows what you are going through,” said Ngodwana.
“With all that has happened, May God be with us, he knows his plans. Your pain is our pain,” said the mayor.
Philile’s uncle, Wandakahle Mkhize, expressed his gratitude to the government and the churches for helping the families during this difficult time.
“Philile, you were a beautiful and bright child. Rest in peace,” said Mkhize.
Ayabonga’s father, Victor Zwane, said the Dlala family was heartbroken as they lost a wonderful son.
He said Ayabonga was well-known in the community. He enjoyed playing with his friends, and many people admired him.
“Every time I go to ask for him at his maternal family, I would find all the children at home, but he would be roaming the streets. I just wanted to say, rest in peace, my son. You will be sorely missed,” said Zwane.
Thami Dlamini from Perseverance Daycare said in five years as a practitioner, Nqobile was one of her special learners. She was one of our God-sent angels at the centre.
“She possessed good listening skills, interacted well, and developed quickly for a toddler. She was eager to learn and always looked forward to gaining new skills during lessons.”
“One thing about Nqobi is that she loved her food. She referred to me as ‘teacher mama’ whenever she wanted more. I wonder who will ask now for more food during our launch time,” said Dlamini.
She said whenever the principal entered their classroom, she would shout from the top of her lungs, saying ‘Sweet mama, I love you’.
“She was such a bubbling and peaceful soul. Our teaching and learning environment will no longer be the same without her, but we will always remember her.”
Lilitha’s aunt Naphi Ndlumbini said their hearts are hurting, and they have leant that life is short.
“We tend to spend time planning, thinking we have time until God takes his person. We had so many plans, but God is the only one who gives and takes. Lala kakuhle nkosazana, your father loved you and is proud of you.”
Nqobile’s uncle Lebo Malinga wished his brother Joseph Malinga who is Nqobile’s father, a speedy recovery.
He shared that his brother could not attend the funeral because he was still in hospital.
“My brother tried to save the children. He sustained burnt wounds and was taken to the hospital for medical attention. He used to call his daughter the ‘back born’. As painful as it is, we are saying farewell to his daughter,” said Malinga.
They buried the four siblings side by side in the Thomas Titus Nkobi Memorial Park (previously known as South Park Cemetery) in Boksburg on June 23.
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