A grandmother had a vision hours before her granddaughter was struck by lightning.
But it wasn’t clear to her who would die. The shocking incident happened when they were watching the annual Mphebatho Troop Festival at Dertig Sports Ground near Mathibestad in the North West on Saturday, 3 January 2026.
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Pastor Esther Shikwambana of the St John’s Apostolic Church in Dertig told Daily Sun that she was watching TV when the vision came.
“One of your kids will not return home,” she said.
However, later in the afternoon, she received bad news that lightning had struck her mzukulu Koketso Esther Shikwambana (27), at the village grounds, and her granddaughter was certified dead at a local clinic.
She said the devil was testing her whether she was praying, or not.
“My granddaughter didn’t have a kid. When she was home, she’d cook and clean the house. She was always smiling.”
“She loved her family. She’d tell her family to focus on the books,” said Pastor Shikwambana.
She would tell them not to be on the streets.
“Koketso was a Christian and loved God and talking about the word of God,” she said.
She said that this is heartbreaking as she went to watch her friend on the troopers.
“Koketso was everything to me. She was my best friend and my sister. She was close to me. Go well and in peace, my granddaughter, and be well received by your late family members,” she said.
Koketso’s uncle Thepu Shikwambana said: “We feel bad. The first time I heard the news, I couldn’t believe it or accept it. But I have to face it and move forward.”
He said the clinic confirmed the death.
Acting Government spokeswoman Nomonde Mnukwa said: “Government commends emergency personnel and healthcare workers for their swift response and ongoing care and continues to work closely with relevant authorities to monitor the situation.”
Moretele municipal spokesman Mothupi Malebye said Mayor George Manyike committed to engage the provincial health department to request more ambulances to ensure speedy availability in cases of emergencies.
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North West police spokeswoman Lieutenant-Colonel Sam Tselanyane said: “We can confirm that two inquests [dockets] were registered with the police following this incident.”
“Two females, aged 28 and 35 years respectively, were declared dead at a local clinic.”
