More than a thousand people attended the memorial service of teenager Sophie Witthoft who died tragically on New Year’s Eve.

Family and friends packed into Linc Church for the service on Friday.

The 16-year-old was electrocuted while cleaning the kitchen in their home on a small farm outside Groutville. Her parents, Deon and Michelle, and younger sister Amy (12) were out at the time.

By the time medics arrived, it was too late to revive Sophie.

“Sophie always helped around the house,” said Michelle. “Sophie was a bright and vibrant young girl. She was looking forward to this year. We are still shocked and are taking each day at a time. Her friends are devastated.”

The family are grateful and overwhelmed by the outpouring of support from the community. Tributes and messages of support have helped the family through this difficult time.

Sophie excelled academically and on the sports field. She attended Our Lady of Fatima Dominican Convent School and was excited to start Grade 11.

An avid sportswoman, she loved running, playing hockey and polocrosse. In 2023, she was selected to represent the South African U21 development polocrosse team against Zimbabwe.

Last year, her U16 A hockey team made the top 12 in South Africa, and they went to Paarl for a national tournament. Sophie was then selected for this year’s school first team hockey side.

Her team had bracelets made in her honour to wear throughout the year.

Michelle said her daughter was a devout Christian. On Christmas day, she changed her WhatsApp status to Psalm 62 vs 8, which was one of her favourite passages: ‘Trust in Him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts to Him, for God is our refuge.’

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