By Nkhensani Mthombeni
- Corporal Malesa died serving his country in the DRC, leaving behind a wife and three children who were planning his 43rd birthday party.
- The family bought gifts for a double celebration as Malesa shared a birthday with his wife Tebogo on 25 February.
A birthday party planned for 25 February will now become a day of mourning for the family of Corporal Matome Justice Malesa – one of the 14 South African soldiers killed in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
His family had already wrapped his presents and were planning a double celebration, as Malesa shared a birthday with his wife Tebogo.
“I lost my confidante, we were like twins,” says family spokesperson Mpho Malatji. “We both knew everything about each other.”

Malesa, from Mashishimale village outside Phalaborwa in Limpopo, left for the DRC on 20 January last year.
He was meant to return home this month to celebrate turning 43 with his wife and their three children – two girls and a boy.
But now his family faces the painful wait for his body to return from the DRC.
“It is a difficult time for the family, as his body is still in the DRC and we just have to wait until he is back,” says Malatji.
The soldier was studying safety management when he died, showing his love for education and learning new things.
Malesa joined the army in 2005 and was a God-fearing man, according to his family.

Limpopo Premier Phophi Ramathuba was meant to visit the families of fallen soldiers in the province on Sunday, but the visit was postponed.
“This decision was not made lightly, as the Executive Council understands the importance of providing support and comfort to the families during their time of grief.
“The exco remains committed to standing in solidarity with the families and will reschedule the visits at a more appropriate time, once the SANDF processes have been concluded,” the premier’s office reports.
Pictured above: Corporal Matome Justice Malesa.
Source: Supplied