LIMPOPO – The Malesa family in Mashishimale is mourning the tragic loss of their beloved son, brother, uncle, and husband, Corp Matome Justice Malesa, who died while serving in the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) during a recent battle with M23 rebels in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo DRC.

Malesa, who is described as the pillar of his household, was deeply devoted to his family, ensuring their well-being and financial stability. “He made sure that everybody was doing well in the family. He was feeding us. We have lost our breadwinner. It is not easy for us to accept his death,” said Flora Moore Mametja, his grieving aunt.

His mother, who relied on him for financial support, had high hopes for his return. Malesa had planned to complete his mother’s house upon his planned return in February, this year.

His wife, Tebogo Stelza Rapatsa-Malesa, had also been eagerly anticipating his homecoming, as the couple shares a birthday on February 25 and had hoped to finally celebrate it together after a while. “She told me that they were preparing to celebrate their birthdays together this year after a while,” said Mametja.

He was a caring father to his three children, two daughters and a son.

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Malesa, a corporal in 7SAI, was known for his quiet nature, strong faith, and unwavering commitment to his loved ones. “Malesa was the third born child of five children. His acceptance of the military seemed like a mistake. He was too quiet to be a soldier,” Mametja reflected. His tragic passing was confirmed on a sombre Saturday when SANDF officials arrived at the family home.

“Malesa’s sister called me crying and told me that there were soldiers in uniform in the house. We had already concluded what they wanted to tell us. When they fetched his mother, she immediately asked: ‘Are you here to tell me that my son is no more?’ Everyone in the family was crying,” Mametja recalled.

His eldest daughter, born in 2010, has been deeply affected by the loss.

“She still has conversations with her dad on WhatsApp. She cries in her bedroom when she reads the conversations, saying that Papa said he would sacrifice for us to live a better life,” Mametja said.

Born in 1982, Malesa joined the SANDF in 2005.

His military career began at 5SAI in Ladysmith before transferring to 7SAI in Phalaborwa, where he served for approximately five years. He was on his fifth deployment when he lost his life, having previously served in Burundi for his first deployment and twice in the DRC. His latest mission was intended to help finance the completion of his mother’s home.

Mpho Monyela, a family relative, shared memories of Malesa’s early years. “We grew up together in Phatamashako. We went to the same preschool, and in 1989, we started Gr 1. In Gr 4, he was promoted to Gr 5 because he was too intelligent. He completed his matric in 1999 at Maphokwane High School and opted to repeat it in 2000 because he was not satisfied with his results. He aspired to be a safety officer in health centres,” Monyela explained.

“His mother sold her last two cows to pay for his tuition fees at the former Pretoria Technikon (now TUT), but he was unable to complete his studies due to financial constraints and had to return home in 2004 until he joined the SANDF,” said Monyela.

In total 14 South African soldiers died during the attack in the city of Goma of which three are from the Mopani district. The other soldiers are Derick Maluleke of Giyani and Louis Calvin Moagi from Ga Sekororo in the Maruleng area.