Anelisa’s mother, Vothiswa Dulaze, holds a candle with a picture of her daughter on it during the candlelight vigil. Next to her sits her sister Florence Dulaze. Photo: Ashraf Hendricks
13 May 2016
About 600 people filled the Chris Hani Arts and Culture High School Hall in Khayelitsha to commemorate Anelisa Dulaze, a drama student and young leader in the Khayelitsha community, who was murdered.
Held at the same school that Anelisa completed her matric, the crowd was full of students, family, friends, community and religious leaders and members from organisations including the TAC, SAPS, KDF (Khayelitsha Development Forum), the ANC Women’s League and Ilitha Labantu.
“She was of the kind that focused on quality education. She was not a failure! A hard worker,” said Madoda Mahlutshana, principal of the Chris Hani Secondary School.
Vothiswa Dulaze, Anelisa’s mother, who was smiling and laughing through much of the memorial, said that she was incredibly happy with the turnout and support from the community.
“I just remember the time when she’s washing herself and wearing her clothes. She was so confident. I loved the style she had because she loved herself,” said Dulaze.
Anelisa went missing after going out to celebrate her 21st birthday with friends. Her body was later found on 2 May under a half-built house in Makhaza, Khayelitsha. 23-year-old Monwabisi Mbombo was arrested.
Soon after her body was found, a BackaBuddy campaign was launched to raise money for the funeral as Dulaze, a single mother to her two surviving daughters and a son, was unable to pay for the memorial.
As the campaign gained momentum, it was pulled over concerns that the family might be extorted for money. The campaign had managed to raise about R60,000.
Guests cheered, laughed and cried as numerous speeches, dances and songs were performed during the event. The evening ended with a candlelight vigil held by Anelisa’s classmates.
