WeeklySA_AdminLOSS: Deputy President Paul Mashatile visits the Mabuyane homestead in the Eastern Cape to pay last respects…
By Siyabonga Kamnqa
FOR more than three decades, a widowed Nolandile Mabuyane single-handedly took care of her children following the passing in 1994 of her husband, Seretse Mabuyane, with whom they had been married for 62 years.
This was revealed by her famous son, Eastern Cape premier and provincial chairperson Lubabalo Oscar Mabuyane amid preparations for his departed mom’s funeral. Mambathane, as she was affectionately known according to her clan name, assumed the role of both mother and father to her six children during her hubby’s absence.
One of those six children was a son who would later be nicknamed ‘Soweto’. And,little did Mama Mambathane back then know that her beloved son would grow up to be a much-respected firebrand leader.
And, as the Eastern Cape province mourned the passing of the God-fearing woman and promoter of women’s development this week, her dusty Deberha rural village came to a standstill.
The road leading to the Deberha village was packed with expensive convoy of sleek German sedans blipping sirens on September 25 as Deputy President Paul Mashatile converged into the Mabuyane homestead to pay his last respects to a woman described by many as a caring and loving ‘mother of the village’.
Addressing the media later after an emotionally-charged church service, Mashatile expressed his condolences to the Mabuyane family, saying the organisation and the country were sharing their grief.
“Losing a parent is a devastating moment. But we are here for Diya (Mabuyane’s clan name) and we want him to be strong and accept God’s will. Diya shared a story with me of how strong Mama was despite being a widow for three decades. Despite it all, she raised strong children with leadership skills”
In-between welcoming a number of mourners and attending to various homestead activities, Mabuyane – clad in a simple overall and interacting with village men – paid tribute to his late mother.
“Her life is worth celebrating. She did all that she could to make sure we are better human beings. This community used to be illiterate but her presence inspired a lot of people to get an education.
“As much as she didn’t go far in education herself, but she had every faith in it. Akashiyanga zinkedama uMama (mom is not leaving behind any orphans), instead she is leaving strong children who know how to soldier on in life”.
Fighting back tears, neighbour Gogo Nolasile Mkhona (81) told Weekly SA Mirror it would take some time before the village could produce a woman of Gogo Mabuyane’s calibre.
“Nolandile and I date back from our days at Xonya village while we were still young girls. From a tender age, she has always been a God-fearing person who loved church. She had a generous heart and was a woman of prayer. Wherever she is, I’m sure she would be proud to see all those congregants gathered inside that rondavel and worshipping”
Another neighbour, Zibuzile Kilwa (68), said while Gogo Mabuyane could have easily ditched her village community for a better city life, yet she chose to live among her people.
“And for that, I will forever respect her. She never carried herself as the mother of a premier. I am sure I will be speaking for all of us in this village when I say she was like a Mother Theressa to us. No one walked into her homestead and left empty-handed. She always treated people with dignity and utmost respect. We have indeed lost a humble soul but her generous works will continue to speak volumes for some time to come.”
Mama Mabuyane was laid to rest on September 27.
