From One Mom To Another

Uyinene Mrwetyana’s mother pens a heartfelt letter to murdered Tshegofatso Pule’s aunt, the woman who raised her, because she knows the pain of losing a daughter

- Lesego Seokwang

If anyone knows what the family of Tshegofatso Pule are going through, it’s the mother of 19-year-old Uyinene Mrwetyana, the University of Cape Town student murdered by a post office worker in Cape Town last year.

Uyinene’s death sparked nationwide protests as people marched to demand an end to gender-based violence.

But, as eight-months-pregnant Tshegofatso’s horror killing has proved, we have a long way to go.

Nomangwane Mrwetyana, Uyinene’s mother, has written a letter to Tshegofatso’s aunt, Pricilla Giwu, who took Tshego in and raised her when her mother died 11 years ago.

Despair and grief prevail now, Nomangwane says, and those who loved Tshegofatso will never be the same again.

But the precious memories of your beautiful child are something no one can ever take away from you, she adds.

Dear Mama Giwu,

The past few weeks have been profoundly painful and a stark reminder of the violent society we live in.

As images of your child and other women and girls who died at the hands of men flashed on television, I felt it necessary to pen this letter to you, Mama Giwu, as well as to the other families who lost their daughters through the despicable act of gender-based violence.

Our sincere and deepest condolences from my family to yours, Mama Giwu, following the gruesome and brutal murder of your beautiful daughter Tshegofatso and your grandchild, her unborn baby girl.

The day our lives changed forever was 24 August 2019, when our beloved daughter Uyinene innocently visited the Clareinch Post Office to collect a parcel. Unbeknown to her and all of us, that would be her last day on Earth.