WATCH: Palm Ridge community supports Mokoatle family after four-year-old Lesedi dies
Mourners gather outside Alberton to bid farewell to a young girl who lost her battle with eye cancer.
Hundreds of community members gathered at the Mokoatle family home in Thulani Street, Palm Ridge – 13km outside Alberton – on the morning of August 22 to mourn the loss of four-year-old Lesedi Mokoatle.
The little girl died days earlier after losing her battle against retinoblastoma, a rare form of eye cancer that begins in the retina and mostly affects young children under five.
The news of Lesedi’s death prompted an outpouring of support for her family, particularly her parents, Lehlohonolo Mosolo and Reatile Mokoatle. Thousands of people reacted to Reatile’s Facebook tribute to her daughter, with the post recording more than 33 000 reactions, 1 000 comments and 45 shares.
Some of those who reacted are known to the family, the Alberton Record was told, while many others are strangers who were touched by Lesedi’s passing. In her tribute, Reatile wrote: “You may be gone from my arms but you will live forever in my heart… fly high my angel.”
Mourners gather to pay respects
Lesedi had been receiving treatment, including chemotherapy, at Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital. In February, tests revealed that the treatment had been going well. However, her passing left those who knew her heartbroken.
At the funeral, some neighbours stood beside Lesedi’s coffin and spoke about watching her laugh and play with other children.
Others remembered anxiously watching Lesedi and her mother leave for hospital visits. Under the funeral tent, children, adults and elderly community members gathered, many with tears in their eyes as they mourned the loss of a young life.
Lesedi’s family thanked the community for its unwavering support. “Her beautiful smile, laughter, and kind spirit brought so much joy to everyone who knew her,” the family said. “She will be forever missed and forever in our hearts.”
The funeral service was held at the Mokoatle family home between 07:00 and 09:00. A convoy of vehicles then followed Lesedi’s coffin to her final resting place at South Park Cemetery, where she was laid to rest.
