Cape Town - Family and friends buried Asisipho Dana, 17, one of the eight young women who died after a stampede at a Khayelitsha tavern a fortnight ago.
Her mother Buyiswa Dana wept as she watched her daughter’s coffin lowered into the ground.
Asisipho died at Osi’s tavern two weeks ago where she and a group of friends had gone to celebrate the end of the school term and the completion of exams.
Six women died on the scene after a stampede at Osi’s Place while two others were killed in a car crash on their way to hospital. The victims were aged between 15 and 23.
A staircase railing at the two-storey tavern gave way during the stampede. Some of the seven other victims were buried in the Eastern Cape on Saturday.
Asisipho’s friends and family described her as an ambitious teen who had dreams of studying tourism and one day moving her mother out of the informal settlement.
They said she was respectful, full of life and always had a smile on her face.
Dimpho Sizani, who grew up with Asisipho, said she could not believe her friend was gone.
“My last memories of her are of the very day this tragedy happened, we were at my home where she was trying on some of my clothes.
“She had told me that she and some friends were going out but she had nothing suitable to wear.
“She was a lively and bubbly person and was always laughing. She just loved life,” said an emotional Sizani.
Councillor Vuyokazi Mathanzima attended the funeral on behalf of the city. She assured the family the law would take its course.
Asisipho, whose name means gift, was described by her teacher as a true gem.
Nomava Tsika, a Grade 10 teacher at Usasazo High School, said Asisipho was the youngest in her class, yet she was the brightest.
“She would sometimes ask me to stop the lesson and she would try to explain it to the rest of the class because she could see they were struggling.
“She was truly gifted and always a diligent girl who cared for others.
“She was very humble and respectful and that is what I will remember the most about her,” said Tsika.
Asisipho’s friends said they had been planning a night out to celebrate the end of exams in the week leading to the tragedy.
Noyise Bugqwangu said they had saved money and began their tavern hopping at Solly’s tavern in Makhaya and later moved to Osi’s where Asisipho died.
Asisipho and two others went to dance upstairs. Then there was a fight.
“Moments later the guy who had driven us there told us to hurry and see what had happened. When we got to the scene she was lying under a pile of people so we took her and rushed her to the nearby clinic but we were told to contact her family immediately because she had died by the time we got there,” said Bugqwangu.
The tavern has been temporarily shut down pending a final verdict on August 17.
The liquor tribunal suspended Phumlani Abraham’s licence on Thursday until the finalisation of a full hearing which is to determine whether it should be revoked, have conditions amended or a fine be imposed. Abrahams has, however, attempted to contest the suspension.
Weekend Argus