Prayers for missing boy

THE mother of a Whittlesea boy who recently fell down an empty mineshaft near Boksburg, told of her pain during a prayer service in the Whittlesea community hall last week.

Nombeko Thole said she had run to the scene, circling the hole and shouting his name, but to no avail.

Richard Thole and friends were playing near the mineshaft on February 25 when he fell in. More than two months later, his body has not yet been recovered.

Well-known UmhloboWenene FM radio presenter Reverend Nomathamsanqa Krweqana, Enoch Mgijima Local Municipality (EMLM) portfolio head of special programmes Thembeka Bunu, ward councillors and clergy from different churches were among the guests at the service.

Krweqana said she had received a letter about the tragedy just before Easter.

“I called the mother. I could tell by the way she spoke that she was upset. I spoke to ward councillor Lulama Sokupe Rasmus to organise a prayer service at their home. It came to my attention that the mother did not get any counselling in Boksburg, so I organised for her to get some,” Krweqana said.

Doves Funeral Home assisted with counselling while various other donors had given food.

Bunu, speaking on behalf of executive mayor Lindiwe Gunuza Nkwentsha, consoled the family and called on residents to make the area a better place during the year of OR Tambo and Enoch Mgijima month in May.