Members of the SANDF carry the coffin of the late Rinae Nemavhulani to his last resting place on Saturday morning. Photo: Victor Mukwevho Ne-vumbani.
One of the eight Limpopo soldiers killed last month in the war between the M23 rebels and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) army, Cpl Rinae Nemavhulani, was buried at Khubvi Cemetery on Saturday.
The funeral was officially conducted by members of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) and attended by residents of Khubvi and surrounding villages, as well as representatives from the provincial and national government.
Addressing mourners, Limpopo MEC for Economic Development, Environment, and Tourism Tshisamphiri Matib, said Nemavhulani had died while fighting to restore peace and stability on the African continent. “They were brave and dedicated soldiers who championed the process of peace initiated by former South African president Nelson Mandela. They might be gone, but they will never be forgotten,” he said.
Thovhele Midiyavhathu Kennedy Tshivhase, an honorary colonel in the SANDF, said the Tshivhase dynasty had lost a brave soldier. “We are devastated by the loss of young soldiers like Cpl Rinae Nemavhulani,” he said, describing him as a courageous fighter for the country’s values. “Even when they were engulfed by the smoke of war, they never thought of retreating and fought until the end,” he added.
Col M.R. Mphashi, the commanding officer of the unit where Nemavhulani was based in Lephalale, described him as a dedicated and brave soldier. “I worked with him for three and a half years. When he told me he wanted to be deployed to the DRC, I granted him permission without hesitation, knowing he would do a great job,” he said.
The late Cpl Nemavhulani was born in January 1996 at William Eadie Clinic in Thohoyandou. He joined the SANDF in 2019 and completed his basic training at 3 South African Infantry Battalion in Kimberley, Northern Cape. He later joined the Military Police and was promoted to the rank of L-Cpl at Umtata Military Police in 2020. In February 2024, he was deployed to the DRC under SAMIC for peace-keeping operations.
