BOPHELONG – Tears flowed as mourners gathered under candlelight to remember Lydia Mzizi, whose life was tragically cut short.

Scores of residents, family members, relatives and friends gathered at the Mzizi family home in Ext 18 to pay tribute to the young woman they described as kind-hearted, secretive and passionate about education.

Neighbour Daniel Mabaso said he was alerted by a scream on the morning of the tragedy.

“I ran out of the house to look. When I got there, I found a disturbing scene. The young girl was known to me, and I recognised her at first glance. I had to come home and report the sad news,” he said.

Lydia’s friend, Mantaoleng Selina Mokoena, said the two had known each other for a long time and shared the same spiritual journey.

“She used to laugh and never took anything to heart. She was a very secretive person and someone who stood for education. She had a very good heart. We are deeply touched by what happened to her.

“We lost a very good person who had a promising future. We remain devastated,” she said.

Eyewitness Mapaseka Khusu said she was on her way to work when she passed the scene. When she was called later about the incident, she immediately knew it was Lydia and her heart broke.

Lydia’s boyfriend, Thabo Mthimkhulu, shared that they had a routine of speaking every morning before she went to work. He recalled that she had called him that morning and asked him to call her back a few minutes later.

“While we were on the call, I heard a bang and the phone cut. I didn’t know what was happening. I tried calling her without luck until I was told she had been hit by a car,” he said.

Lydia will be laid to rest on Saturday.