Family struggling to repatriate South African teacher who died in China

[Grant]

A South African family is battling to repatriate the body of a 27-year-old relative who died in China.

The Department of International Relations and Corporations (Dirco) confirmed that Lusanda Sixaxeni, 27, from Mossel Bay’s Nonqaba Township, died in a hospital in Beijing.
Sixaxeni worked as an English teacher in China. She died on 12 September.
Mandisi Sixaxeni, Lusanda’s uncle, said Chinese authorities have not yet informed the family of the cause of death.
"They promised to return to us regarding that. However, they did mention that they detected an infection in her urine samples,” he said, adding that the family was devastated by the death and was frustrated by not being able to come up with the funds to bring Lusanda's body home.
The family had been advised to authorise the Chinese government to cremate her body and send her ashes home, which would be cheaper than repatriating her remains.

But the Western Cape family is refusing to take this option because cremation is against their culture, explained Mandisi Sixaxeni, Lusanda’s uncle. Repatriating her remains will cost the family about R400 000.

Family struggling to repatriate South African teacher who died in China | News24

A South African family is struggling to raise R400 000 for the repatriation of their loved one’s body after she died on Monday in China where she taught English.

www.news24.com

 

[saor]

It's a bit sad that they're going to bankrupt themselves for something like this.

 

[konfab]

But the Western Cape family is refusing to take this option because cremation is against their culture, explained Mandisi Sixaxeni, Lusanda’s uncle. Repatriating her remains will cost the family about R400 000.

Well hopefully people in her "culture" will help them pay for it. Because I certainly wouldn't throw good money down the drain like that.