Candy Moloi has been laid to rest in Venda.

Recall, died in a Pretoria hospital last Tuesday after a long battle with cancer.

She was 67.

Candy, best known for her role as Vho-Makhadzi on the SABC2 soapie Muvhango,

She is survived by her son Tshepo, daughter Lerato and two grandsons.

Memorial services were held in Gauteng and Limpopo ahead of her funeral on Sunday, when mourners paid their final respects to the star.

The funeral took place under Covid-19 restrictions, with social distancing observed and masks worn.

Her neighbours, friends, children and grandchildren all paid tribute to Candy

Lerato paid an emotional tribute, saying she had often dreamed her mother had died, but now that it is her reality she was heartbroken.

“My worry is going back to Johannesburg, having a dream of her dying, waking up and she is still not there. I don’t know how I will handle that,” Lerato said.

She said her mother touched many lives and started many careers.

“I realised, while reading all the social media comments for my mother, I am very surprised at how many careers she started. So many people have come out and said ‘this woman gave me my first gig. This woman gave me my first job. This woman gave me my first voice over’. She was a first for a lot of people.”

Lerato said her mother had been “ill for a very long time”.

“I am realising it was very unfair for me to want her to continue living,” she said, adding that her mom was full of life and would not have wanted to live in a state in which she could not have the same energy.

She said she felt her mother’s presence and was stronger because of it.

EFF leader Julius Malema gave a eulogy at the funeral, paying tribute to Candy’s life and impact on the lives of others.

Addressing Lerato and Tshepo, he encouraged the siblings to stick together.

“It is just the two of you. Hold each other’s hand. Don’t turn against each other. Don’t listen to outside advice. You share the same spirit and whatever your differences, you will find a solution through the spiritual guidance of your mother.”

Speaking at a memorial service, Candy’s cousin paid tribute to the star, calling her a “pillar of the family”.

She described how she was with Candy in the last few months, including when she was told doctors could no longer find cancer cells in her blood and the family was hopeful of her recovery.

“The pain of not being able to see you in hospital because of Covid-19 hurt. I will miss your calls. You really fought for your life. You lived with pain until death robbed us of your beautiful life,” she said.

The family spokesperson, Nthabiseng Moloi said the family was “devastated”.

“Candy meant everything to us. She was larger than life. People fondly called her Makhadzi. She was Makhadzi for all of us. The wound is still fresh and everyone is trying to make sense of it.”