NOMQHELE Tshili, who perished in the horrific accident that also claimed the life of soccer legend Adam Ndlovu, was laid to rest at her grandfather’s homestead at Esiphezini, Chief Sigola, Esigodini yesterday.
REPORT BY FORTUNE MBELE SPORTS REPORTER
Nearly 300 people, who included politicians from the area, church members and football stakeholders and representatives of the Ndlovu family gathered in Esiphezini to pay their last respects to Nomqhele, who died on the spot on Sunday morning in the accident that also left Adam’s brother, former Warriors skipper Peter Ndlovu, critically injured.
Addressing people at the burial, Norman Mabhena, a family friend, said it was unfortunate that Nomqhele had to die in the circumstances, but urged the Tshili family to accept the death of their daughter.
“The Tshilis must accept this.There is no witchcraft. If there is any, then the witchcraft is time,” Mabhena, who also sits in the MDC-T Advisory Council, said.
MP for Umzingwane, Nomalanga Mzilikazi Khumalo (MDC) had this to say: “A dark cloud has befallen the Tshili family, but it is not their will. It is God’s will. She died with a hero, a hero of football and I realise that there are football people here. We also mourn with you.”
A nephew of the Tshili family, one Mnkandla from Lupane said it was very painful to lose Nomqhele at a tender age. She said Nomqhele had shown a lot of potential and it was sad that she had to be taken away in an accident.
“It is so painful to lose this child who seemed to have a bright future. We have a lot of graduates in the family and we were looking forward to her going ahead with her education, but that was not to be,” Mnkandla said.
- Chamisa under fire over US$120K donation
- Mavhunga puts DeMbare into Chibuku quarterfinals
- Pension funds bet on Cabora Bassa oilfields
- Councils defy govt fire tender directive
Keep Reading
According to Mnkandla, Nomqhele, born on December 7 1988, did her primary education at Esiphezini Primary School where she grew up under her grandfather who was at the burial.
She went to Gwanda High School for her Form 1 and 2 before finishing her secondary education at Sihlengeni Secondary School in Esiphezini.
She then went to Speciss College.
Nomqhele was a member of the Harvest House International church whose members at the burial showered her with praises as a dependable person.
Her father, Velempini, who is the district chairperson of Umzingwane, was also at the burial where there was no mention of the Ndlovu family, which was represented by Adam and Peter’s brother Marko Dube.
Madinda, spokesperson of the Ndlovu family, who said they would make sure she got a decent burial after consultation with her family on Wednesday, said they would be meeting with the Tshili family after the burial to map the way forward.
Madinda has previously said he hopes that when Peter recovers, he would be able to shed light on how Nomqhele got to be in the vehicle that took Adam’s life.
Adam will be buried tomorrow at Lady Stanley Cemetery while Peter is said to be out of danger after he was operated on both legs on Wednesday morning.
Chicken Inn secretary-general Tavengwa Hara, assistant coach Mandla Mpofu, Highlanders legends Kainot Magagula, Douglas Mloyi, Tobias Mudyambanje, Amin Soma-Phiri, Simon Sibanda and Mehluli Sibanda also attended the burial. Senator Kembo Dube (MDC) and MP for Bulawayo Central Dorcas Sibanda (MDC-T), councillor Charles Mpofu and village head Ishmael Ncube were also present.
