BULAWAYO — As family and friends laid Nothabo Tshuma and her two daughters to rest in Bulawayo on Tuesday, former schoolmates used the funeral service to celebrate the life of the leader, mother and friend they knew long before global headlines focused on the Bedford murder case.
The funeral service marked the final journey for Nothabo, 42, and her daughters, Natalie, 15, and Nala, five.
Their bodies arrived in Zimbabwe weeks after a forensic post-mortem confirmed they died from blunt-force trauma at their home in Great Denham, Bedfordshire.
Mourners gathered at the Brethren in Christ Church in New Lobengula before the burial at Old Luveve Cemetery.
Rather than revisit the criminal investigation, the service focused on Nothabo’s lifelong commitment to leadership, academic excellence and community service.
Content creator and Chat With Nat podcast host Natasha Fuyane delivered a collective tribute on behalf of the Eveline High School Class of 2002 before sharing her own personal reflections on a friendship that continued into adulthood and motherhood.
Former schoolmates remember Nothabo beyond the Bedford murder case
The Eveline High School Class of 2002 described Nothabo as a natural-born leader whose gift for leadership emerged long before she completed her A-Levels at Eveline High School between 2001 and 2002.
Before joining Eveline, she had already served as Head Girl at Matopos and held leadership roles within the Marigold Girl Guides.
At Eveline, she became a Senior Prefect, represented the school in basketball and joined the Rotary Club.
Former classmates remembered both her academic discipline — particularly her love of Mathematics — and the small details that made her unforgettable.
Classmates also remembered her academic focus, particularly her passion for Mathematics, and the quiet confidence with which she carried herself.
“One of the little things her school friends fondly remember was how she would roll up one side of the hem of her tracksuit pants. It was such a small detail, yet somehow it perfectly captured who she was: effortlessly cool, sweet and humble all at once.”
The tribute said excellence came naturally to Nothabo because she approached every responsibility with discipline and integrity.
“Nothabo believed in doing things the right way. She was a hard worker, meticulous in everything she did, and always carried herself with grace.”
The classmates also remembered her as someone who avoided unnecessary drama, remained focused on her goals and became the friend others could always rely on.
‘We’re doing it for our girls’: Classmates and a lifelong friend celebrate Nothabo’s legacy
The Class of 2002 tribute also remembered Nothabo’s warmth beyond the classroom, describing her dry sense of humour, unmistakable laugh and lightness of spirit.
“This is the Nothabo we knew at Eveline: free, joyful, kind and full of promise. The world truly was her oyster, and it was no surprise to any of us that she went on to become a trailblazer in her career.
“It wasn’t luck or chance. It was simply the natural progression of someone who, from such a young age, had shown herself to be born to lead, to serve and to excel.”
After delivering the Class of 2002 tribute, Fuyane shared her own memories of Nothabo and reflected on how their friendship grew through adulthood and motherhood.
“For me personally, that sisterhood carried into adulthood and motherhood. She was always generous with advice, from navigating nursery to the little bits of mum etiquette no one teaches you.”
Fuyane said Nothabo celebrated every achievement in her friends’ lives with genuine joy.
“She celebrated every promotion and every win I’d share. She was always encouraging.”
One phrase, Fuyane said, has remained with her ever since.
“We’re doing it for our girls.”
According to Fuyane, every decision Nothabo made centred on creating opportunities for Natalie and Nala.
She also recalled Nothabo’s love for fashion, and Black Coffee’s music, as well as her admiration of Edward Enninful’s autobiography.
“There were so many things that interested and inspired her, so many plans still to fulfil. She had so much more life to live.”
Bulawayo Mayor reflects on grief as extradition proceedings continue
Bulawayo Mayor David Coltart told mourners that the family’s loss had touched not only Bulawayo but the wider nation.
“When we come to moments like this of unspeakable grief, the thought of burying a child is bad enough, but the thought of burying grandchildren is beyond my comprehension.”
He said tragedies of such magnitude often leave communities searching for answers.
“I’m a man of faith like you, and it is at moments like this that all of us reach out to God and ask, ‘Why?’ I don’t think any of the bishops or any of the teachers of our faith can have an answer.”
Reflecting on Romans 1:20, Coltart said humanity’s limited understanding makes it impossible to fully comprehend God’s plans in moments of profound loss.
When we look at God’s creation, our minds are too small to comprehend the enormity of God. It is that understanding that we must try to apply to tragedies like this.
Meanwhile, UK authorities continue their criminal proceedings after prosecutors authorised three murder charges following the Crown Prosecution Service’s decision in the Bedford triple murder case.
The suspect, Ndodana Mkhanyisi Tshuma, 45, remains in custody in South Africa as extradition proceedings continue.
NOWinSA previously reported on his first court appearance and the alleged suicide plan, as well as the Kensington operation that led to his arrest.
South African authorities are processing the UK’s extradition request ahead of Tshuma’s next court appearance on August 27.
Former schoolmates and Natasha Fuyane bid Nothabo farewell
The Class of 2002 closed its collective tribute by reflecting on Nothabo’s lasting impact.
“This senseless act has robbed the world of one of its brightest shining lights. Yet we count ourselves incredibly blessed that our paths crossed with hers.
“Knowing Nothabo made us better people, and her legacy will continue to live on in every life she touched.”
Fuyane then offered her own personal farewell.
“Rest well, Nothabo. The world has been cruelly robbed of your light and brilliance. Rest well angels Natalie and Nala.”
Read Natasha Fuyane’s full tribute below:
The memorial artwork shown above contains the complete Eveline High School Class of 2002 tribute delivered of behalf of the school’s former pupils.
Natasha Fuyane later shared the artwork on X following the funeral service in Bulawayo.
