After months of heartbreak and unanswered questions, the Makroti family of Mthatha, Eastern Cape, has finally laid their beloved daughter, twelve-year-old Liqhawe Makroti, to rest. Her funeral took place on Saturday, 25 October 2025, following the long and painful process of identifying her remains through DNA testing. Liqhawe was among five family members who tragically lost their lives when their home in Slovo township was swept away by the devastating floods that hit the region on 10 June 2025.
Liqhawe, a Grade 5 pupil at Bambanani Primary School, was described as a bright and joyful child. Her disappearance left the Makroti family and the entire community in anguish as they searched desperately for her body. After weeks of searching, her remains were discovered on 28 July 2025, nearly two months after the floods. However, her burial was delayed as authorities required DNA confirmation before releasing her body to the family—a process that took several more months.
Family spokesperson Bathandwa Makroti shared the emotional toll the tragedy took on them. “We looked for them day and night, not knowing if we would ever find them. It was painful and exhausting. We could not even mourn properly because we were still searching,” she said. The family’s loss was compounded by the deaths of five people from the same household, including a domestic helper and her child.
According to Bathandwa, the body arrived at the Makroti homestead in Macosa Village near Mqanduli at around 7 a.m. on Friday, 24 October. The burial service was held the next day, bringing a small measure of closure to the grieving family. “It was traumatising to go to forensics and identify family members among piles of dead bodies,” she recalled. “I would return home empty-handed most days, still hoping to find them alive.”
Bathandwa recounted how the family initially wanted to bury Liqhawe alongside the other four relatives, who were laid to rest on 5 July. However, they were told to wait for DNA verification. “We were sure it was her, but the officials insisted on the test. It was confusing because DNA was not required for the others,” she explained. The results eventually confirmed what the family already knew—the body was indeed Liqhawe’s.
Despite their grief, the Makrotis expressed gratitude to all who supported them during the search and the painful months that followed. “We thank everyone who stood by us, especially those who helped us search through the rivers and debris. Their kindness gave us strength,” said Bathandwa.
The tragedy of Liqhawe and her family highlights the devastating impact of the 2025 floods that ravaged parts of the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal, leaving hundreds homeless and claiming multiple lives. As communities rebuild, the Makrotis’ story stands as a heartbreaking reminder of the human cost of natural disasters—and the resilience of families determined to find closure amid unimaginable loss.
