Sad farewell for Palesa Madiba

Palesa Madiba received a moving, emotional and dignified send-off today at a funeral service that was tear-jerking and heart-wrenching.

Palesa's  bones were found three years after she went missing. At the UJ Soweto Campus's auditorium, hundreds of people were in attendance at what may be the most publicized funeral service this year. Noxolo Grootboom, SABC's news anchorwoman was the MC of the event, and the "People's Poet" Mzwakhe Mbuli delivered a powerful performance about crime and criminals. 

Members of Palesa's family wept uncontrollably and were highly emotional and heartbroken as, one by one, tributes poured in from relatives, the vice Chancellor of UJ, Professor Marwala and the Deputy Director General (DDG) of the Department of Higher Education Dianne Parker, who spoke on behalf of Minister of Higher Education, Blade Nzimande.

"There will be a time when God will stand over Palesa's bones and say 'Bones, come together!'," Noxolo Grootboom said to an applauding audience. Palesa's sister, Lerato Madiba, delivered a gripping and emotionally-tense speech. "We did not think that we'd be gathered here today to say our last goodbyes to Palesa. Robala ka kgotso, Pale," she said with a shaky voice.

Thato Mphehlo, long-time friend of Palesa, could barely contain her tears as she was reading a letter she wrote in memory of Palesa. 
Palesa's family will have a private burial ceremony where they will lay her bones to rest