"How heartbreaking that you left me": Elizabeth Moselakgomo’s eight-year-old daughter emotional tribute - IOL

Eight-year-old Khumo Moselakgomo the daughter of the late Elizabeth “Tsontso” Moselakgomo, after paying tribute to her mother during a funeral service in Pankop township, Mpumalanga.

An emotional farewell unfolded on Sunday when eight-year-old Khumo paid tribute to her late mother, murdered runner Elizabeth Moselakgomo, during her funeral, delivering words that captured the pain of losing a mother at such a young age.

The 38-year-old is one of nine women whose deaths are being investigated in Ekurhuleni.

She disappeared after leaving her Kempton Park home for an afternoon run on Wednesday, September 10.

Her daughter contacted relatives when her mother failed to return from her run, prompting the family to report her as missing to authorities.

Her family later identified her body at the Germiston mortuary.

Standing before mourners on Sunday, the daughter spoke directly to her mother, describing the emptiness left behind by her death while holding on to the love and memories they shared.

“Dearest mother, how heartbreaking that you left me,” she said. “The day feels quiet without your voice, but your love is still here, surrounding me with love.”

She said that although she could no longer hold her mother’s hand or see her smile, the memories they created together would remain with her forever.

“I may not hold your hand or see your beautiful smile, but all the memories we have made will stay with me forever,” she said.

In one of the most poignant moments of her tribute, Khumo said she would look to the sky whenever she felt lonely and imagine her mother watching over her.

“When I feel sad and miss you, I will look up to the sky and imagine you are watching me from above with love in your eyes,” she said.

The eight-year-old also expressed the longing that comes with losing someone she loved deeply, saying she wished her mother could still be there to embrace her.

“I wish I could hug you. I wish you can be here. But I carry you inside my heart, so you can always be nearby,” Khumo said.

She promised to remember her mother as she grew older, holding on to the things her mother had done for her and believing that her mother would continue to watch over her from above.

Khumo ended her tribute with a tender declaration of love, calling herself her mother’s “beautiful daughter” and “princess”.

“Your beautiful daughter loves you so much. She misses you every day, but I know that I have gained a beautiful angel in you,” she said.

“Love, your beautiful princess Khumo. Thank you.”

Moselakgomo's funeral was held in Pankop township, Mpumalanga.

Elizabeth Moselakgomo, is one of the nine women who were kidnapped, killed and dumped along R21, Rhodesfield, Kempton.

Following her mother's death, a fundraising campaign supporting the education of the eight-year-raised more than R100,000, surpassing its original target of R50,000.

The authorised BackaBuddy campaign, launched on Monday September 14, had raised R108,541 by Wednesday.

“While we cannot fill the space left by a parent, we can come together as a community to help provide something lasting: The gift of education and the opportunity for a brighter future,” said the campaign in a statement.

“We aim to establish an education fund to support Elizabeth's child’s educational journey in the years ahead. Every contribution will help towards school/university fees, educational needs and other costs associated with their education.”

“Our hope is that, through the generosity of friends, fellow runners and everyone whose life Tsontso touched, we can create a foundation that provides stability, opportunity and hope for her daughter's future.”

It said no contribution was too small.

“Every donation brings us one step closer to ensuring that Tsontso's daughter can continue their education and have the opportunity to pursue their dreams.

“For those who knew Tsontso, this is a chance to honour her memory in a way that will continue long after the finish line.

“Thank you for standing with Tsontso's daughter and family, and for helping us turn our community’s love and support into a lasting legacy,” it said.