BLOEMFONTEIN – Bright student Cuzi Mulalo Nndwa (26), who collapsed and died before her scheduled graduation at the University of the Free State (UFS), will be laid to rest in her home village in Limpopo. The date of the funeral is yet to be confirmed, while her memorial was held on Tuesday 21 April.
The Musanda Foundation confirmed the student’s identity in a media statement. In various media reports and social media posts, her surname was incorrectly stated as Mukwevho.
Mulalo tragically died just hours before her graduation on Friday 17 April. The cause of her death remains unknown. Her death has sent shockwaves through her family and the university community.
She was due to receive a master’s degree in Urban and Regional Planning, adding to her existing bachelor of arts degree in Geography and Environmental Management. She obtained the latter qualification at the same university in 2024.
According to a Musanda Foundation statement, at the time of her death, Mulalo was serving as a town planner intern at the Free State Department of Education. Her responsibilities included assessing land suitability, supporting alignment with Spatial Development Frameworks (SDFs) and Spatial Planning and Land-Use Management Act (SPLUMA) requirements, reviewing planning applications, and providing input on statutory processes.
Mulalo was from the Masakona Village in the Collins Chabane Local Municipality in Limpopo. The foundation stated that “her journey was marked by resilience, determination, and an unwavering commitment to education and development,” referring to her academic achievements and her ability to complete her studies efficiently.
University management has extended heartfelt condolences to the student’s family, friends, and fellow students.
