Cape Town - The body of Lusanda Sixaxeni, who died suddenly in China in September, has been brought home.
Sixaxeni, from Mossel Bay, is believed to have left South Africa in 2018 to teach English in China after struggling to find work here.
She worked as an English teacher for three years.
The 27-year-old kept in contact daily with her family, but stopped returning calls by the end of August.
Her family said they then raised the alarm with the South African embassy, which launched an investigation.
Sixaxeni was found in a “weak health state in her flat” after authorities in Beijing intervened.
She was rushed to hospital where she died.
The family had sought donations to pay about R400 000 to repatriate her body, or it would have been cremated, which the family said was against their traditions.
The Sixaxeni family launched a Backabuddy campaign seeking donations.
“With almost four years of service in China, Lindo resigned on 30 August 2022. Lindo was looking forward to seeing her family again and was booked to fly back to South Africa on 12 September 2022,” they said.
It is reported that Sixaxeni’s former employer could not assist the family because she had “resigned from her position in August, resulting in the loss of her benefits, including travel insurance”.
Her body arrived in South Africa on Monday and arrived at the family’s home in Bokwe Street, KwaNonqaba, in Mossel Bay on Tuesday where it was received in an emotional ceremony.
The funeral will take place on Saturday, October 29.
Cape Times