Hundreds of tearful mourners gathered at the AGS Church Randfontein in Randgate, on Friday, October 2, to say goodbye to five-year-old Dianty da Silva.

The church was filled with family, friends and community members who had followed Dianty’s journey and stood behind her family during her battle with leukaemia.

It was an emotional service, filled with memories, photographs and video tributes celebrating the little girl behind the illness – her smile, her personality and the joy she brought to those around her.

Dad delivers emotional tribute

One of the most heartbreaking moments came when Dianty’s father, Tony da Silva, delivered an emotional tribute to his daughter.

On the day of her passing, he wrote on social media:

“Heavenly Father, tonight, we bring Dianty before Your throne. Lord, You know her struggle, You know her body, and You know every tear that has been shed.

“We also pray for every person who speaks negative words about Dianty. Lord, touch their hearts and let them realise that words can bring life or death. Where there is disbelief, fear or negative declarations, we ask that You bring peace, love and faith.

“We declare in the Name of Jesus that no negative word spoken over Dianty is greater than God’s Word over her life. We will not fear what people say, because our trust is in Jehovah Rapha, our Healer.

He also quoted Isaiah 41:10, “Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God.”

He asked that the Lord protect Dianty’s heart, her body and her spirit.

“Surround her with people who speak faith, bring hope and pray with us for her. We choose to speak life. We choose to speak faith. We choose to trust Jesus. In the mighty Name of Jesus Christ. Amen.”

Her mother, Dina da Silva, also wrote on Facebook:

“I love you so … so … so … fiercely, deeply, intensely, infinitely, fiercely – Dianty.”

For a community that had rallied around the Da Silva family during Dianty’s fight, the farewell was a painful reminder of just how deeply the little girl had touched so many lives.

Doves, balloons released outside church

Outside the church, mourners gathered for a final tribute as doves were released into the sky, followed by blue and orange balloons.

As they watched them drift away, the community said goodbye to a little girl whose life may have been short, but whose impact will be remembered for years to come.

Dianty’s story brought people together in life – and on Friday, it brought them together one final time to honour her.

From all corners, communities paid their respects with heartfelt condolences:

Dedre de Beer:

Rus sag by Jesus, Liewe Dianty.
Jou mooiste glimlag sal vir altyd in almal se harte bly.
Dina Da Silva my hart huil saam, ek is so bitter jammer.
Here stuur asb U Heilige Gees om hierdie mamma, pappa en sussies se hart te vertroos

Kirsty van der Merwe:

Tonight many hearts are broken.. We carry the family of beautiful, precious Dianty in our prayers through this very very tough time.. this little girl impacted 1000s upon 1000s with her strength, her will to fight, even when her body was making it hard for her to do so.. I know that so many have been impacted through her resilience and her smiles, showcasing that even when life throws many hard times your way, you have to get up and fight and that she certainly did. She was the reason many of us signed up to DKMS to register as stemcell donors.

She encouraged us to stand together and make a difference. Her light shone through the darkness, her life a beacon of hope and courage.

I have no doubt that she is running and playing in bright fields of coloured flowers with the Father who has made her whole.. Dina Da Silva hoe maak mens sin van so n groot verlies?? Met die wete dat jou pragtige dogterkie, duisende lewens verander het in so n kort tydperk. Ek bid dat die Here geluidlik die stukkies van jou hart, weer bymekaar sal las, en dat Dianty altyd n groot stuk daarvan sal hou . Jy was ongelooflik sterk in baie moeilike omstandighede en ek weet jy gaan jou pragtige prinsessie mis maar die Here het groot planne, en sy is in goeie hande.

Ons bid vir jul deur hierdie bitter moeilike tyd.

Arms in Mercy NPC:

REST IN THE ARMS OF JESUS, DIANTY

Today we remember a very special little girl, Dianty, a precious warrior who fought the hardest battle with a courage that touched so many hearts.

Dianty fought leukemia with everything her little body could give. She endured so much, yet she remained a beautiful little light in the lives of those who loved her.

Today, her earthly battle is over.
No more pain.
No more suffering.
No more hospital visits.
No more fighting.

Dianty is now safely in the arms of Jesus.

To Dianty’s mommy Dina Da Silva, daddy, sisters and family. There are no words big enough for the loss of a child.

“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” Psalm 34:18
May God surround your family with His presence in the days ahead. May He give you comfort when the grief becomes overwhelming, strength when you feel you cannot take another step, and peace in the knowledge that your precious little girl is no longer suffering.?

One day, there will be no more tears, no more sickness and no more death. Until that glorious day, Rest peacefully, beautiful Dianty.

Forever remembered.

With love and deepest condolences to the entire family.

The Rappies family also wrote:

Ons harte is stukkend. Dianty het ongelooflik hard geveg en met soveel moed en krag aangehou. Mag julle troos vind in die mooi herinneringe saam haar en in die wete dat sy nou in God se arms rus

Laerskool Randfontein wrote:

Ons dink met liefde aan Dianty se familie in hierdie hartseer en moeilike tyd.

Mag die Here Sy arms styf om elkeen vou, hulle met Sy liefde en genade omring en aan hulle krag, troos en vrede gee.