Soweto community, Unisa students, youth as well as African National Congress (ANC) Women’s League were singing and calling for an end to gender-based violence, during the funeral of Phuthi Ramara that was held yesterday at the hall in Protea Glen Soweto.
21 years old Ramara was raped, beaten and murdered. Her body was found dumped at dusty soccer fields in Protea Glen Soweto. She was a second-year student at Unisa and her death shocked the community.
The incident happened during 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence and the Soweto community held a candle-light night vigil to protest. They carried placards inside and outside the hall written ‘Sekwanele, sesikhathele’.
Atlegang Modise who is the late Ramara’s childhood friend in Diepkloof said she was hurt by the brutal death of a person she grew up with.
“I never thought that one day I would be standing here talking about Ramara’s death. My friend’s death has saddened me as we were planning big about our future. She was a good person and inspirational. I am going to miss her because she is no more but what is left is memories. However, I believe that she has brought us here together so that we should remember to be kind to one another”, she said.
Ramara was buried at Olifantsfontein cemetery and Gauteng police spokesperson Captain Kay Makhubele mentioned that there has been no arrest made yet. Ramara left with her cousins to go and visit their friends and she did not come back home.
