The funeral service for members of the Hanise family from Joza, who died in a horror accident near Cape Town last week, was held at the Seventh Day Adventist Church (SDA).
The funeral service for members of the Hanise family from Joza, who died in a horror accident near Cape Town last week, was held at the Seventh Day Adventist Church (SDA).
The family was laid to rest at Waainek Cemetery on Sunday.
Totosi Hanise (73), his daughter-in-law Thembisa (39), Thembisa’s 56-year-old mother and four sons, including a set of teenage twins, all died on the spot after their car, which was attempting to overtake a slow-moving truck, collided head-on with a taxi.
Sunday’s three-hour long funeral service was attended by hundreds of friends, family and colleagues who came from as far as East London, Port Elizabeth, Cape Town and Kwa Zulu Natal and filled the Joza Indoor Sports Centre.
Six coffins were placed side by side at the hall and members of the family and mourners were consoled by hymns from various choirs of the SDA, which the Hanises were members of.
Eastern Cape Premier Noxolo Kiviet, who suspended a visit to Port Elizabeth to attend a vigil last week, this time sent her condolences, saying she was greatly saddened by the tragic and horrific deaths.
Makana Mayor Vumile Lwana said the deaths were a loss not only for the family but for the community as a whole.
Remembering the departed
Totosi Hanise was described by one church member as a dedicated man and an asset to his community, while Thembisa was referred to as a humble and conscientious worker with fresh ideas for the tasks set before her.
Mike Mthimkhulu from the KZN legislature (where Thembisa worked) brought a message of condolence from his colleagues and said that even though the family had experienced great loss, God still loved them.
At the cemetery, mourners were treated to a scene reminiscent of the turbulent 1980s mass funerals when the coffins were lined up one after the other, and Pastors stood in pairs in front of each grave.
Finding hope
The cemetery proceedings were led by Pastor Gwala from Cape Town, who reassured the bereaved that though it seemed strange to speak of hope in such circumstances, it’s the only thing that keeps Christians going.
"Death, you are cruel. But when Jesus Christ returns you will be defeated when the dead will rise to life."
These were the uplifting and comforting words of Pastor Jongimpi Papu at the service.
One member of the family, the 56-year old grandmother had been separately buried the previous day.
