The much-loved Granny Nyanngwaneni Nyamasindi Sirwali from Tshaanda Tshitandani in the Mutale area passed away at the age of 91 on Sunday, 22 January, following a long illness.

Vho-Sirwali was the mother of the Adziambei Band’s founder, Maele Sirwali. She was described as the “Tshivenda library” because of her immense knowledge of the Tshivenda culture, which had contributed to the phenomenal success of the Adziambei Band.

She was buried at the Sirwali sacred burial grounds at Tshaanda on Saturday, 29 January, where relatives, the local Aged Citizens (of whom she was a member), and people from the local and surrounding communities gathered to give her a dignified send off.

Sirwali was born at Hamakhuvha Godobi in 1932. She was the third-born of Mr George Madidimalo Thothoma and the late Ms Nnyambeni Nyatshavhungwa Nemukula Khomunala’s six children. She later married Mr Rakuambo Frans Sirwali and the couple were blessed with six children of their own - three boys and three girls.

Maele recited a poem he had written as a glowing tribute to his late mother. The family spokesperson, Lutendo Sirwali, eulogised her as a “fearless and industrious woman”, whose contributions to the development of the family and the village will not be forgotten. “She was a talented singer and dancer, a farmer of note and also contributed to the building of some of the important infrastructure in the village. Her contributions will forever be inscribed in the village’s history books,” he said.

The Adziambei Band’s publicist, Ntsieni Sirwali, described her death as a blow to the group. “The passing on of our mother and granny has left us with sore hearts. It is like our library has burnt down; her memories were like an archive when it came to Tshivenda norms and customs. Most of the band’s compositions were inspired by her vast knowledge of our culture. We will always cherish the advice and wisdom she shared,” said Ntsieni.

Vho-Sirwali, who survived all her siblings, leaves three of her children, 21 grandchildren and 32 great-grandchildren behind.