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A Mother’s Grief, A Nation’s Cry: The Heartbreaking Farewell to Olorato Mongale

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3 months ago

June 2, 2025

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On a chilly Sunday morning, Basetsana Mongale was wrapped in blankets, holding onto the last moments of rest before the day began. She had spoken to her daughter, Olorato, earlier that morning — a normal, loving check-in between a mother and her child.

Then the phone rang.

Olorato was missing.

What followed was every parent’s worst nightmare, unfolding in real-time.

“I leapt from my bed, jumped in the shower and hit the road,” Basetsana told mourners at her daughter’s funeral in Bloemfontein. “But deep down, I already knew… my child was gone.”

A Young Life Taken Too Soon

Olorato Mongale, 30, was a vibrant journalist and Master’s student at Wits University. Her future was full of purpose and promise. But on Sunday, 25 May 2025, that future was stolen.

Her body was found days later, dumped in Lombardy West, Johannesburg. The news broke hearts across the country — another woman lost in the shadows of South Africa’s gender-based violence crisis.

Investigators believe her murder may be linked to a horrifying trend: dating scams used to lure and attack women.

A Tribute That Moved a Nation

At the funeral on 1 June, Basetsana’s words cut through the silence like a blade.

“There are things a mother just knows,” she said, holding back tears. “Wherever I turned, I could feel her spirit near me.”

She had prayed for her child’s safety during that frantic drive. But in her heart, she felt the weight of finality. “Her soul had already said goodbye,” she shared.

Beyond a Student: A Leader and Visionary

Olorato wasn’t just a student. She was a force. A member of the prestigious Golden Key International Honour Society, she stood in the top 15% of academic achievers. She had recently begun her Master of Arts in ICT Policy and Regulation at Wits, focusing on tech sustainability and economic growth.

“She had the grit, the heart, and the mind,” said Jerome September, Dean of Student Affairs at Wits. “Olorato was more than just a name on a register. She was one of us — a Witsie, through and through.”

Even in her short time at the university, she took the lead in setting up support networks for her classmates and resolving technical glitches in lectures. She was building something bigger than herself — a future rooted in impact.

The Grim Reality of Femicide in South Africa

Olorato’s death is not an isolated tragedy. On average, 11 women are killed every single day in South Africa. That’s one every two hours.

Her story mirrors those of so many others — bright, young women robbed of their futures, their voices silenced by violence.

Deputy President Paul Mashatile called her death “a brutal reminder of the deep crisis we face.”

“The soil is soaked in the blood of our women,” said Free State Premier Maqueen Letsoha-Mathae. “This is not just a personal loss. It’s a national emergency.”

The Hunt for Justice

So far, police have arrested two suspects in connection with Olorato’s murder: Philangenkosi Makhanya, who was killed in a shootout with police, and Bongani Mthimkhulu, who remains on the run. A third man initially named has since been cleared.

Authorities are now investigating a wider network believed to be behind a wave of similar crimes targeting women across Johannesburg, Pretoria, Nelspruit, Potchefstroom and beyond.

At least 20 other women have come forward, identifying the same suspects as the men who kidnapped and robbed them under the guise of online romance.

Deputy Police Minister Polly Boshielo issued a firm warning to parents: “If your child is committing a crime, do not protect them. Speak up. Help us break this chain.”

A Nation Mourns, But It Must Also Rise

Olorato Mongale’s name joins a long, devastating list of women who never got to live out their dreams. Her story has shaken communities and reignited demands to fight gender-based violence more fiercely than ever.

Sindisiwe Chikunga, Minister of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, reminded mourners that the responsibility to stop GBV lies with every South African.

“We cannot be silent. We cannot look away,” she said.

Her Light Lives On

Olorato’s death may have dimmed her presence on earth, but her light endures in every woman and girl who dares to dream, despite the danger.

She was not just another number. She was a visionary. A leader. A daughter. A student. A friend.

And she deserved to live.

Let Her Story Be the Last

If Olorato’s death moved you, don’t let that emotion fade. Channel it into action. Speak out against abuse. Educate those around you. Support survivors. Demand better from leaders, law enforcement, and each other.

Her story should not be the echo of another name lost. It should be the spark that finally turns our mourning into a movement.