Financial help to bury girl, 7

A POOR family struggling to fund a funeral service for their seven-year-old girl, who drowned in a dam outside King William’s Town on Sunday, has finally received help from good Samaritans.

Othandwayo Mali will be laid to rest at 8am at kwaGubevu outside King William’s Town today, her family announced yesterday.

This is thanks to South African Funeral Practitioners Association president Yongama Qhuma, 50, of Qhuma Funeral Services in Lusikisiki.

“It is our responsibility as the association to step in and lend a helping hand when someone is in distress. Burial services, mortuary fees, tents, groceries and transportation costs will all be incurred by our affiliate partners, Ngoma Funeral Services, where the body lies,” he said.

The Dispatch brought the matter to the attention of Eastern Cape government spokesman Sizwe Kupelo and then Qhuma stepped forward to help.

Bulelwa Rhwentela, 62, grandmother of Othandwayo, said: “I am very grateful. The funeral service is continuing tomorrow thanks to help from the Daily Dispatch, Mr Kupelo, Mr Ngoma and Mr Qhuma. Without their support the funeral would not be possible.”

Mali, 7, was raised by her unemployed mother after her father died a few years ago.

King William’s Town police spokeswoman Captain Siphokazi Mawisa said the girl drowned while swimming with friends.

“The police were called to the scene at 5pm and SAPS East London divers recovered the body after an hour,” said Mawisa.

An inquest docket has been opened — malibongwed@dispatch.co.za for investigation.