Custodian of Venda culture passes away

One of the legendary custodians of Venda tradition and culture, Mr Petrus Khorombi Gabara (77), was buried at Tshimbupfe, Ha-Mutheiwana, outside Vuwani on Saturday.

He is the father of Mr Nthambeleni Gabara, former correspondent of the Limpopo Mirror and now assistant director, news services, in the Department of Communications in Pretoria.

He was born on 30 September 1938 at Mtititi village outside Malamulele. He attended primary school at the then Pfukani Primary School, which is now known as Tshisevhe. His first job was at PRASA in Pretoria. He later worked in a brick-manufacturing plant before he was employed at the general post office, where he retired in 2000.   

Representing the children of the deceased during the funeral, Nthambeleni said the family understood that their loved one had been ill, but they were in deep mourning when they remembered all the good things that Petrus had done while he was still alive. “He is now pain-free and comfortable in the hands of the Lord, whom he served whole-heartedly during his lifetime. He was such a kind man who couldn’t even hurt a fly.”

Gabara said his father had taught the family and the local community that it was good to love one another. “I am not surprised by the huge turn-up at my father’s funeral, because he treated every community member as a member of his family. He has been the pillar of strength for this community and we will miss him dearly.”

He thanked friends, family members and members of the community who have been supporting the family since his father passed on. “Your support has been overwhelming and it made us feel strong. May you please continue to do this in other families during difficult times like this. I have no doubt that my father’s soul will rest in peace.”

Representing the Old Mission Apostolic Church, of which Petrus was a staunch member, Robert Mushiana said: “The old man was our pillar of strength and he contributed a lot towards the development of our church. We used to attend services in a hut and he is the one who suggested that we have our own land and build a proper church. When he fell sick, he insisted that he be transported to church every Sunday to worship with us. He loved the church more than anything else.”

Date:19 August 2016

By: News Correspondent

Correspondent journalists from all over the region supply us with news and sport articles. 

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