Thulane Popoyi's son says goodbye to his father. Sean Casper van Zyl in blue helps him take a rose.
Thulane Robert Popoyi was buried at West Park cemetery on 14 October.
Hundreds of his family, friends and those who never knew him turned up to say their goodbyes.
Popoyi was killed at Dollar Table bar in Melville on 5 October while out with his friends. His killer and the reasons for the murder are still unknown.
His greatest passion was sport – rugby in particular, so much that he played wing for both Young Lions and Pirates Club.
Popoyi worked for years at the Vodacom Golf Village in Edenvale. From the beginning of 2013 until his death, he worked as a customer and experiential manager for an events company in Johannesburg.
The sportsman leaves behind his mother Beatrice, his only surviving sister Nondumiso and two children.
See the funeral in pictures and read what some of his friends thought about him.
Hundreds of people gather at West Park Cemetery to say their final good-byes to Thulane Popoyi who was hacked to death in Melville.
Popoyi’s aunt Nellie Duma comforts the deceased’s partner Bavs Govender during his burial at West Park Cemetery in Montgomery Park.
Relatives hold Thulane Popoyi’s mother Beatrice as she throws roses into her sons grave. Popoyi is the fourth child she has had to bury from her five children.
Thulane Popoyi’s friends shovel soil to cover Popoyi’s resting place.
Thulane was a loyal and dedicated person. Whenever you had a problem and approached him, he would not hesitate to help, says Thokozani Moyo.
Thulane was my friend for four years. I just feel like what happened was bad and not fair at all. He was friendly and understanding, says Eve Musi during the funeral.
Bavs Govender scatters flowers into Thulane Popoyi’s grave as she says goodbye to her partner of five years.
Thulane Popoyi’s son says goodbye to his father. Sean Casper van Zyl in blue helps him take a rose.
Zania van Niekerk has known Thulani since childhood. She says he never judged a person, he was always there for people during good and tough times and the love he had for his son was amazing
Thulane was my customer at Tuk’Tuk, he was a cool guy who never made a noise, I even used to pick up his kid from crèche, it is a pity that such a man has been taken, says Lutendo Sigaima.
Reverend Doctor Chunky Young sprinkles soil into Thulane Popoyi’s grave during one of the most heartbreaking ceremonies on 14 October.
Bavs Govender carries her son Jayden who is a spitting image of his father Thulane Popoyi. This little boy is left with no father as Popoyi was hacked to death at Dollar Table bar in Melville.
Athena Deligatos says Thulane always had a smile on his face. He always gave you his time and made you feel like you were the only person who mattered when we worked together.
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