Initiation chief to be laid to rest this weekend
"He was beloved by the community he served and has helped build so many families, plus he resolved marital problems."
The principal of an initiation school, which has been operating for over 40 years in Mamelodi, has died after a long illness.
Chief Sixpens Lekhuleni, of Mambayi a ga Lekhuleni royal house in Mamelodi, died after a long illness at his home on 31 March at the age of 77.
He will be laid to rest this Saturday at Winterveldt.
Lekhuleni served the royal house for eight years.
He will also be remembered by the community as the principal of the Mambayi a ga Lekhuleni initiation school for boys and girls.
Lekhuleni is survived by his wife Sazi Esther Lekhuleni, his sister Dorothy, his daughters Dineo, Nthabiseng, his son Lethogonolo and grandson Tshegofatso.
He became Chief of Mumbai a ga Lekhuleni royal house and the principal of the initiation school in 2014 when he succeeded his brother Elias Sefolosi Lekhuleni, who died in 2004.
He was also involved a lot in traditional courts where he served as an advisor.
His successor, Prince Patrick Lekhuleni, described his brother as a “loving person and very humble”.
“He was beloved by the community he served and has helped build so many families, plus he resolved marital problems.
“He was also tough when it came to the intake of initiates.
“No child would be accepted at the school without the parents signing the consent form. Parents had to produce his or her identity book to prove he or she is the correct parent before circumcision,” said Patrick.
Lekhuleni also worked with the Department of Health, the police and the local CPF,” he said.
“His passing came at a time we least expected it.
“According to our tradition, we are going to mourn the death of our chief for 12 months,” said Patrick.
Mambayi a ga Lekhuleni initiation school will not partake in this year’s initiation period should they announce that the initiation school can take place this year.
“We did not only lose a brother but we lost a community leader and we will continue with his legacy and continue serving the community,” said Patrick.
“May his soul rest in peace.”
Sixpens Lekhuleni’s funeral service will be held at his home in Winterveldt on Saturday.
It will be at his home from 06:00 before proceeding to the Winterveldt cemetery at 07:30.
For more information about the funeral, contact Patrick Lekhuleni on 076-694-6542.
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