Henri Nouween a Dutch priest, a professor and a writer once wrote “Compassion asks us to go where it hurts, to enter into the places of pain, to share in brokenness, fear, confusion, and anguish. Compassion challenges us to cry out with those in misery, to mourn with those who are lonely, to weep with those in tears. Compassion requires us to be weak with the weak, vulnerable with the vulnerable, and powerless with the powerless. Compassion means full immersion in the condition of being human.”
Perhaps Nouween was telling us of what would befall our town.
For few days I was out of words, not knowing what to say or to even believe that such a sweet, gentle and kind hearted soul has departed. It’s really painful to accept and believe that Renee Lea is no more but it is even more painful to understand why she had to be killed in such a horrendous and a gruesome manner. Nobody deserves to be killed but Renee Lea was more special to be killed, strangled and dragged out of her home and be driven around like an object.
Today the town and the entire municipality mourns the passing of this wonderful mother who has touched so many souls with her kindness and a generous heart. She was an important member of this community who wanted what was best for this town. Her contribution in empowering communities all over this municipality cannot be compared to any. Her love for her employees, colleagues, fellow community members and her family was unmatched. Today the entire community of Lekwa is wounded, exposed and bleeding.
The 24th of August will always bring sombre and painful memories because we will always remember that on this day, we lost a stalwart and a fountain of wisdom as a community.
To her family, on behalf of the Lekwa Local Municipality and our entire communities we convey our deepest condolences and pray that God gives you the strength and the courage to live on.
May God heal your wounds and help you to move forward. May the words of Psalm 34:18 remind you always, that the Lord is close to the broken hearted. He saves those whose spirits are crushed.
To her employees, the community that she has continuously interacted with and all those who were supported and cared for by her, Duduzekani, God will comfort and guide you.
I would also like to commend the police, the security stakeholders that acted swiftly by tracing and recovering her body and her car.
We are hopeful that the police will leave no stone unturned and will resolve the case quickly to allow her family to get a closure. Our prayers also go to the family of the accused, no mother deserves to go through what the perpetrator’s mother and family will go through. May they also find strength and courage at this time of trials. All we can do is to pray for peace and calmness in the community and allow the process of law to take its course.
We cannot excuse the actions of anybody that takes a life or commit crime but will appeal to all those in authorities to deal with crime harshly and seriously because we cannot live in a society where criminals are not afraid to commit acts of violence and criminality without any repercussion. Our society cannot live in fear at their homes not knowing whether they will wake up tomorrow. The rule of law must prevail.
Uhambe kahle Renee Lea.
Your gentle soul
Your kind heart
Your warm smile
Your giving hand
And above all, your love for this community will solely be missed. Rest In Peace Mama wethu.