A YOUNG woman from Nyanga, Cape Town has been left with a burden on her hands after her neighbour asked her to bury her when she dies.
Phumeza Sandile (32) from KTC area in Nyanga didn't decline, and she had hoped to include the neighbour on her funeral policy at the end of this month (May 2023).
She said gogo Nomusa Ndamoyi (61) died before she could register her on the burial policy.
Phumeza said the gogo had been sick since 2022, but it didn't seem serious.
She said her makhi told her 10 days before her death that she wanted her to bury her if she died.
"I have a headache because I had not registered her on any funeral policy. At the same time, I want to fulfil her wish," she said.
Phumeza said she doesn't know anyone from the family except her children.
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She said even when gogo Nomusa buried her son, who was shot and killed in 2020, she never saw her family members.
"Maybe she had a reason to ask me to bury her.
"It was a big request, and it was a difficult decision on my part to agree to her request.
"But I agreed and now I must fulfil her wish," she said.
The deceased lived with her two daughters at the time of her death.
One of her daughters, Siphokazi Ndamoyi (23), said they appreciated Phumeza's assistance.
"I think mama knew we would not be able to bury her that's why she asked Phumeza to bury her.
"Now we have someone trying to help us. It would be difficult if it were only me and my younger sister," she said.
Nomusa's friend, gogo Nocwaka Mtyando (65), said God knows why her friend requested Phumeza to bury her.
"She was my friend but she never made that request to me. She went to a young girl and gave her such a burden. I pray to God to give Phumeza the power and resources to fulfil Nomusa's wishes," she said.
If all goes well, Phumeza will bury gogo Nomusa this weekend.
"I have spoken to an undertaker who promised to assist, but we haven't finalised anything. I now need food for the mourners," she added.
