Debtors warned at funeral
BY NHLANHLA MATHUNJWA
MASEYISINI - The late Lucky Peterson’s father in-law surprised mourners who attended his son in-law’s funeral when he told them that all those who owed Peterson should pay him despite that he was dead.
Morena Mathealira Mokoena, father to Samkelisiwe, Lucky’s wife, said this during the funeral of the late businessman held yesterday.
Peterson died two weeks ago together with Bheki Mkhonta who was Mtsambama Member of Parliament (MP) in an accident that occurred in South Africa, about 60 kilometres away from Botswana.
The two, together with Senator Bhutana Dlamini and Nonhlanhla Shongwe from the Swaziland Investment Promotion Authority (SIPA), were travelling in a VW Amarok bakkie owned and driven by Peterson.
The four formed part of a Swazi delegation that had travelled to Botswana to attend the country’s Small Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs) Indaba and Exhibition.
Addressing close to 1 000 mourners who had attended the funeral held at Maseyisini, an area which is about 15 kilometres outside Nhlangano, Mokoena who is from Lesotho told the mourners that he was aware that some of the people who had attended the funeral owed his son-in-law and therefore it was important that they pay back everything they owed Peterson.
He preferred to use his mother language and his brother Musa interpreted for him.
"As a family, we are aware that a number of you who are here still owe Lucky," he said.
"It does not mean that because he is dead, you should not pay. Make sure you pay because God knows you and sees all the people who owe him."
Mokoena’s statement left some of the mourners grumbling.
However, Mokoena did not mind the grumbling as he continued to deliver his speech. He went on to thank those who had played a part in his son-in-law’s life.
"Most of the speakers here mentioned how intelligent he was and that he was a friend to everyone," he said.
"I encouraged everyone who was a friend of Lucky’s to continue showing his friendship by supporting the family. The family needs our support and therefore we should all show our friendship to the family."
As soon as he had delivered his speech, he went back to his seat leaving most mourners with more questions than answers.
Speaking on behalf of the du Pont family, Peterson’s maternal family, was Emmanuel du Pont who said the businessman died at a very young age as he still had more dreams of expanding his business.
"He had a bright future as far as business was concerned," he said.
"Everything he did became successful. We all hoped he would live longer as he also helped a number of people in enriching their skills."
He encouraged Peterson’s family to stand together in this dark hour."
activities
Ncamiso Shongwe who spoke on behalf of the Scripture Union where Peterson was a member of the board told the mourners how the deceased was committed to the organisation’s activities.
"Whenever we had meetings, he was always there and we could see his input.
"As an organisation, we will miss him for all the wonderful things he did. His main intention was to see Scripture Union progressing from one end to another," Shongwe said.
Attending the funeral were Members of Parliament who included Joseph Madonsela, Mabhanisi Dlamini and Mduduzi Mabuza. Also present was Senator Bhutana Dlamini and other businesspeople.
Mourners dance, admire E50 000 casket
MASEYISINI – The casket of the late Lucky Peterson was worth E50 000.
It is classified under the executive class caskets and was supplied by Dups Funeral Home.
Prices for such caskets range from E35 000 upwards.
The casket was white with gold handles and was taken to the grave site which is about 500 metres away from Peterson’s homestead in a hearse. Some of the mourners who saw the casket in the morning after it had been displayed in the tent before being taken to the gravesite were overheard admiring it.
One of the Dups employees said this casket was among the most expensive caskets they provided.
He said depending on what the client wanted, they always tried to make sure that they made the client happy at the end of the day.
Meanwhile, one would be forgiven for thinking the vigil leading to Peterson’s burial was a gospel crusade as mourners danced throughout the night. A public address system had been set up together with music instruments. Leading the service was a praise team comprised of eight members who also led the mourners in worship.
The service started just after 10pm and lasted until 6am. Each time the praise team sang a chorus, the mourners would stand up and sing along. Others would also walk to the front to dance with the praise team.
From time to time people would give testimonies and in most cases, they would send condolences to the Peterson family. Among those who spoke was Mabhanisi Dlamini, Kwaluseni Member of Parliament who described Lucky as someone who had a good heart. The MP said he got to know Peterson when he came to help him after he had received information that there were people who need help in his constituency.
"The first day we met, he told me that he had received information that there were people in my constituency who needed help," he said.
"He then gave me doors which he said I would use for this project. He became a good friend and in most cases he liked helping the poor. He was a man among men."
Themba Masimula who also had the opportunity to share his testimony said ever since he was called to serve God, Peterson had been supporting his vision.
"Each time I came here, I used to sleep in his house and he would mention that he had noted my calling and supported it," he said.
"To me, he was not different from a brother and I will miss his teachings. He was a hardworking person and wanted to see the people around him successful."
A rather interesting point was that nothing was mentioned of Peterson’s father at the funeral. Even his obituary only stated that he was the son of Clara Du Pont.
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