SBONISO Ngwenya (18) was laid to rest on Sunday, 3 December.
The funeral took place at Latterrain Christian Church in Dumphries Village outside Thulamahashe near Bushbuckridge, Mpumalanga.
Sboniso was a grade 12 pupil at Mawewe High School in Dumphries Village when she was bitten by a snake at about 12 midnight on Monday, 27 November while camping for their matric exams.
Two hours later, she was pronounced dead by paramedics at the Thulamahashe Health Centre Clinic.
Her father, Solomon Ngwenya, who is still serving a 15-year sentence for the murder of his lover, was escorted by Joburg Correctional Services officers. He joined hundreds of mourners to bid farewell to his deceased daughter.
However, he was not given an opportunity to say a word at her funeral.
Solomon's grief-stricken wife Rosemary Godi-Ngwenya said her untimely death left a void in their hearts.
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"I cried and finally accepted when her uncle Pfukani called to say that she had died at Thulamahashe Health Centre Clinic. We will always miss her beautiful smile and her warm love for her family," she said.
Sboniso's uncle Pfukani Ngwenya said: "We were still asleep when we received a call from the school that she had been bitten by a snake. It's still difficult for us to accept her death, even though the police are investigating the matter."
Her cousin Nonkululeko said Sbonìso was happy a few days ago that she had been accepted at the University of Johannesburg.
"The 28th of November is a cursed month in our family as we lose family members mysteriously. Please keep us in your prayers," she said.
Principal Steven Sibuyi described Sboniso as one of the most intelligent and high-achieving children.
"This death has hit me very hard. She was a wonderful child. We managed to kill the almost two-metre long mamba that had bitten her.
"I'm grateful for the marvellous support from the community and the school board, the district and MEC Bonakele Majuba," he said.
Education chief specialist deputy director, Dr Khathu Khomola, said: "It was a shock that one of our children, Sboniso, died on a school camp. We, as a department, are here to say sorry."
Induna Solomon Mdluli said: "This is a story with many unanswered questions. Our children have finished their exams while we mourn for one of them."
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