NONHLANHLA MODISE said their mother’s death came as a shock to them.
“But to my mum, it was no surprise. She saw her death coming,” said Nonhlanhla.
“She picked her coffin and then indicated the headstone that she had selected!”
And as if she had seen it coming, Molly Mahlangu (59) was involved in a crash in her H100 Hyundai bakkie near Akasia, Tshwane, on Thursday, 22 September. She died at the scene.
Nonhlanhla said Molly, from Strydfontein, was not scared to face challenges – and faced her own death without fear.
“The way she behaved before she died was her way of saying goodbye to us,” she said.
Earlier this month, Molly took her to the Royal Funeral Parlour and showed her a coffin.
“She said it was the one she wanted to be buried in when she died. Then she showed me a tombstone to be erected to remember her.”
Nonhlanhla said their mother told them they must stand strong.
“She said we must bury her with dignity, and take care of her business,” she said.
Nonhlanhla said last Thursday, they were supposed to go to the market to prepare for a wedding.
“She went to drop off my little sister at the rank but coming back, she had the accident. I realised I had to be strong, fill her shoes and deliver to our customers.”
Daughter Nomsa Mahlangu (26) said on Wednesday night she was with her mum in her room.
“I told her I would go early in the morning. She said goodbye as I got into the taxi. I didn’t realise that would be the last time I spoke to her,” she said.
Nomsa said she received a call from Nonhlanhla in the morning while in the Tshwane CBD.
“She told me to come home as our mother had a terrible accident. Then I saw a message of her death on a WhatsApp events group.”
She said it was heartbreaking to see messages saying “rest in peace, Gomora diva”, which was her nickname.
Nonhlanhla said her mum was not scared of taking risks.
She said her business was in events and catering, where they operated as florists and did photography, decor, catering and make-up.
“In 2013, Maphuthi’s Business Enterprise did an event for My Perfect Wedding in Mamelodi, and that exposed us to bigger opportunities,” she said.
Nonhlanhla said when they moved to their new plot in February, Molly told them it was her final place and loved it.
Youngest sister Connie Motau (52) said she was spiritual, but Molly never gave her a sign that she was dying.
Tshwane Emergency Services spokesman deputy chief Charles Mabaso said it was reported at about 6.47am that three cars had collided.
“Emergency services found a woman with critical injuries in one of the light vehicles. She died at the scene. Other patients escaped with minor injuries,” he said.
Mabaso said the cause of the incident was not yet known.
– Dailysun
