Muchaneta Chimuka
THOUSANDS thronged Zororo Memorial Park yesterday, transforming it into a sea of purple, as Shalom Onoja Onekhole was laid to rest.
The 13-year-old succumbed to bone cancer at Parirenyatwa Hospital last week after a courageous battle which saw her capture the attention of the nation.
Before her death, Shalom penned three letters thanking all who supported her during her two-year battle against the illness.
H-Metro published the letters.
Among the mourners were Nettleton Junior School pupils and staff, Parirenyatwa staff, including doctors who used to treat her, representatives of the Nyaradzo Group, who catered for all the funeral expenses.
Shalom’s family expressed gratitude to H-Metro for the newspaper’s coverage of the teenage girl’s brave battle against cancer.
They described the H-Metro reporter, who covered the burial ceremony, as a “family member.”
Among the mourners were Nettleton Junior School pupils and staff, Parirenyatwa staff, including doctors who used to treat her, representatives of the Nyaradzo Group, who catered for all the funeral expenses.
Her mother, Ndakadaishe Shumba, said:
“We believe that our daughter is now in safe hands with the Almighty, the cancer battle was huge for her to bear.
“It had affected all her lungs and she was just relying on artificial oxygen.”
Shalom’s mother was clad in white regalia.
Her step father Joe Phiri said:
“We were given her cellphone by the nurses and we were surprised to hear an alarm ringing.
“We checked only to see a message written (Shalom’s Death, 21 October 2026, @8am).
“Maybe she had seen the gravity of her illness and had lost hope.
“She died on the same date but earlier than her prescribed time, at around 5am.
“She will forever be missed,” he said.
It was a sombre atmosphere as young children, who used to associate with Shalom at home and school, wept as they saw her casket being lowered underground.
He thanked Nyaradzo Group for honouring their daughter’s wishes by putting purple decorations around her casket.
“Our daughter has been, indeed, treated like a celebrity and we are deeply humbled. Thanks to everyone who supported us,” he said.
Chitungwiza ZANU – PF youth leader, Lawrence Tizola, said he was equally touched about Shalom’s death.
“Shalom died during this Cancer Awareness Month and we continue to encourage communities in still good health that early testing and diagnosis and early treatment is important.
“Cancer has become a huge burden for Africa.”
He thanked KidzCan Zimbabwe, the Indian Embassy, Zimpapers and other stakeholders who chipped in with assistance.
Lilian Chiruwa initiated the GoFund, which enabled the family to seek medical help in India and South Africa and back to Zimbabwe, until the time of her death.
It was a sombre atmosphere as young children, who used to associate with Shalom at home and school, wept as they saw her casket being lowered underground.
They threw yellow and purple balloons into the grave.
Nyaradzo staff were neatly dressed clad in white suits. Shalom and her siblings are of the Nigerian origin.
