Thembekile Letlape 's godmother Gretchen Sebati had a few touching words to share with those who attended the chef's funeral service in Sandton. Picture: Kabelo Mokoena (Picture: Kabelo Mokoena/Sunday Times)
The late Thembekile Letlape, known as The Pastry Princess, was described on Friday by friends and family as a loving, kind and caring person whose presence made the world a better place.
Hundreds of mourners gathered at the Bryanston Methodist Church in Johannesburg on Friday to mourn the murdered celebrity chef at her funeral service, which was attended by former deputy president Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka and ActionSA leader Herman Mashaba.
Brian Rampete, a cousin of Thembi, as she was affectionately known, said she spoke many languages as she grew up in Soweto in a diverse environment.
“She could have four languages in one sentence," Rampete said.
Letlape's body was found in the home of her boyfriend, Sibusiso Zitha, on May 30.
The celebrity chef made a name for herself after being retrenched in 2014 as an investment banker. This led her to enrol for a diploma in food preparation and cooking.
Final goodbyes were said at the Bryanston Methodist Church in Sandton to bid farewell to celebrity chef Thembekile Letlape who was allegedly killed by her boyfriend. (Kabelo Mokoena/Sunday Times)
Specialising in patisserie, or sweet delicacies, Letlape, 38, opened a bespoke baking business, The Pastry Princess, and made a household name for herself.
Her father, Dr Kgosi Letlape, found her body at the Fourways home of her boyfriend, who has been arrested. He had gone to the property after his daughter sent a distressing text message to a family member.
Zitha, 40, appeared in the Randburg magistrate's court on Monday and was charged with Letlape's murder.
Rampete recalled how she had asked him for help just over a year ago.
“Last year in March she said she wanted to see me. We chatted for about an hour with her saying I am failing her as a big brother. She said 'come closer to me, I need you'. It was a shock. We talked. She was such a beautiful soul.” .
Rampete said he spoke to the man accused of killing Letlape only once.
“I told him I understand you are in a relationship with our sister. I told him the family of Letlape is good. I told him I am the only one who is not right because I am not a Letlape. That was the first and last time I spoke to him.”
During the funeral, ushers distributed purple scarves to mourners, Letlape's favourite colour.
Speakers took turns detailing her love for children and everyone around her. There was also a moment to sing Manchester United's song, a team Letlape supported.
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A packed Bryanston Methodist Church last year where mourners said their final goodbyes to Thembekile Letlape. Her boyfriend Sibusiso Zitha was found guilty of her murder. (Kabelo Mokoena)
Siblings of Thembekile Letlape Tebogo Letlape, Nozipo Maseko and Lawrance Moakamela say thier final goodbyes to thier sister at her funeral service ata Methodist Church in Sandton. (Kabelo Mokoena/Sunday Times)
Action SA leader Herman Mashaba was seen in the crowd gathered at the Bryanston Methodist Church during the funeral service for celebrity chef Thembekile Letlape. (Kabelo Mokoena/Sunday Times)
The Bryanston Methodist Church was packed with mourners there to bid farewell to celebrity chef Thembekile Letlape, known as The Pastry Princess, who was allegedly murdered by her boyfriend. (Kabelo Mokoena/Sunday Times)
The Bryanston Methodist Church was packed with mourners there to bid farewell to celebrity chef Thembekile Letlape, known as The Pastry Princess, who was allegedly murdered by her boyfriend. (Kabelo Mokoena/Sunday Times)
Sipho Hot Stix was among those who had attened the funeral service of murdered celebrity chef Thembekile Letlape. (Kabelo Mokoena/Sunday Times)
Father and mother of the murdered chef Thembekile Letlape, Dr Kgosi Letlape and Mpho stand in front of thier child coffin as they say thier last words at a fully packed Bryston Methodist Church in Sandton. (Picture: Kabelo Mokoena/Sunday Times)
Final goodbyes were said at the Bryanston Methodist Church in Sandton to bid farewell to celebrity chef Thembekile Letlape who was allegedly killed by her boyfriend. (Picture: Kabelo Mokoena/Sunday Times)
Father of murdered chef Thembekile Letlape, Dr Kgos Letlape, at her funeral. (Photographer: Mario)
The Bryanston Methodist Church was packed with mourners there to bid farewell to celebrity chef Thembekile Letlape, known as The Pastry Princess, who was allegedly murdered by her boyfriend. (Picture: Kabelo Mokoena/Sunday Times)
Final goodbyes were said at the Bryanston Methodist Church in Sandton to bid farewell to celebrity chef Thembekile Letlape who was allegedly killed by her boyfriend. (Picture: Kabelo Mokoena/Sunday Times)
The father of murdered chef Thembekile Letlape, Dr. Kgosi Letlape, at her funeral. (Picture: Kabelo Mokoena/Sunday Times)
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