The family of Joy Fifi Mashiane, a mother of three who lost her life in a deadly minibus taxi crash in Waterfall, Midrand, is appealing to the public for financial assistance to help cover the costs of her funeral.
Mashiane, who lived in Ivory Park Extension 2, was among five people who died in the crash on 22 September. Her sudden death has left her family devastated, while her three children are now facing life without their mother.
Mashiane was the sole breadwinner in her household and carried the responsibility of providing for her family. Her youngest child is only one year old, making her death particularly difficult for those who depended on her emotionally and financially.
She is survived by her three children, her mother and three siblings, who are now working to make the necessary arrangements to give her a dignified farewell.
However, the family is currently unable to proceed with the burial because Mashiane’s remains are still being held at a state mortuary. The Gauteng Department of Health is conducting the required identification procedures, including DNA testing, to ensure that the victims are positively identified before their remains are released to their respective families.
The identification process is an important step following the fatal crash, particularly given the circumstances surrounding the recovery of the victims. The family is waiting for the process to be completed so that they can finally bring Mashiane home and begin making final funeral arrangements.
Once her remains have been formally identified and released, Mashiane’s family plans to bury her in Gauteng.
In the meantime, relatives are turning to members of the public for support. The family has appealed to anyone who is able to contribute towards the funeral expenses to assist them during this painful and challenging period.
The financial burden of arranging a funeral can be overwhelming, especially when a family loses its main source of income unexpectedly. Mashiane’s relatives are therefore hoping that community members, friends and other well-wishers will come forward to help them give her the dignified burial she deserves.
For her family, the loss is not only that of a daughter and sister, but also of a mother who played a central role in the lives of her three children.
Those who would like to contribute towards Mashiane’s burial costs or offer assistance can contact her sister, Nicolene Mashiane, on **060 918 2378**.
The family remains hopeful that, with support from the community, they will be able to lay Joy Fifi Mashiane to rest with dignity and provide her loved ones with an opportunity to say their final goodbye.
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