TV personality and musician Lerato Moipone Molapo, known by her stage name Lira, recently paid a heartfelt tribute to her late mother, Buyi Radebe, on what would have been her 69th birthday. In an emotional Instagram post, Lira shared that the day was bittersweet, as she felt her mother’s absence more deeply than ever.
“Today was bittersweet for me. Today is my Mom’s 69th birthday. I miss her so much I don’t know what to say. But the poem on the second frame sums it so perfectly—the words she would say,” Lira wrote, referring to a poem by Christina Rossetti that she shared on her social media. The singer concluded the post with a touching message: “Happy birthday Buyi. I love you. See you on the other side.”
Lira’s followers offered their support and shared words of comfort. Legendary musician Yvonne Chaka Chaka commented, “Think of all the good memories darling. She loved you and you loved her. No one can replace her.” Another follower wrote, “Sis Buyi, she is so missed. Sending love and light.”
This tribute comes just months after Lira’s mother, Buyi Radebe, passed away on November 20, 2024, at the age of 68. Her death followed a brave battle with cancer, less than two years after surviving the illness. Lira had previously shared a poignant photo on Instagram of herself hugging her mother, accompanied by the caption, “M
M 
.”
In a second slide, she posted a black-and-white photo of her mother, along with her birth and death dates: “7 March 1956 to 20 November 2024.” Lira’s emotional tribute reflects the deep love she had for her mother and the lasting impact her loss continues to have on her.
