School principal transforms funerals into celebratory occasions

Mr Thivhileli Samuel Madi (63) is a familiar figure at funerals around Vhembe. Not as a member of the bereaved families, but to turn their weeping into a celebratory occasion. A renowned singer, ordained pastor, and school principal, Madi travels around Vhembe in his vehicle and at his own expense to sing at funerals. His soothing, yet cheerful voice and acrobatic dance moves always succeed in putting a smile on the mourner’s faces, giving them strength to endure their loss, and thus he remains on everyone’s lips long afterwards.

But why would anyone attend funerals to cheer people up? Just because he can? Well, he regards this as an act of goodwill – a kind of community service to the people.

Madi is the school principal at Mianzwi, and he also preaches at the Sterkstroom Living Gospel World Mission Church in his village in Malavuwe. He cut his vocal teeth while he was still in school and sang in the church choirs.

During an interview with Limpopo Mirror, he recalled how this unusual service at funerals began for him. “Every time I opened my mouth to sing, people would comment, saying what a strong and beautiful voice I have. So, I decided to use my voice to praise the Lord and sing for bereaved families. I have received many calls from bereaved families around Vhembe who requested that I send them quotations to come and sing for the mourners at funerals, but I keep on telling them that I don’t accept any cash. I don’t do it for the money; my work is to make mourners feel strong while I praise the Lord with my voice. I have no problem using my car to go and sing anywhere around Vhembe because God blessed me with the transport to serve His people. I feel very fulfilled when I put a smile on mourners’ faces during their time of grief,” he said.

Madi believes that giving back to the community when God blesses us with talents is important. “I will continue to comfort mourners with my voice until my last day on earth. People say that when I sing at funerals the atmosphere changes and they feel the presence of the Lord because they gather strength from my voice. I beg every community member to use their talents to do their bit in building their communities, like I do, without expecting financial gain in return,” he said.

Date:28 January 2024

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