Tears flowed as mourners gathered on Saturday to bid farewell to seven-year-old Aphelele Dlamini, who died after falling into a lift shaft at the HOMii building on Pixley ka Seme Street in Durban on October 18.
His twin sister, Aphile, who also fell while they were playing, remains in hospital in a critical condition.
The Dlamini family, heartbroken by the tragedy, described Aphelele as a “treasured son, brother, and friend” who brought happiness to everyone who knew him. “We are shattered beyond words,” the family said as they laid him to rest.
In a statement before the funeral, the family expressed deep gratitude to South Africans for their outpouring of love and support. “Your voices, your outrage, and your solidarity have turned pain into purpose. In the face of injustice, you chose action,” they said.
The children’s father, Khaya Dlamini, shared the family’s anguish, revealing that they are still living in the same apartment where the tragedy occurred. “We see where our son died and where our daughter got injured every day,” he said, describing the pain as unbearable.
He also offered emotional words to his wife: “All this little joy we had is gone. It’s hard for me as a man. To you who carried them for nine months, it is too much. Be strong, my wife.”
HOMii Lifestyle Management, which operates the building, expressed condolences to the Dlamini family and extended prayers for Aphile’s recovery. The company said the safety of residents remains its highest priority.