WeeklySA_AdminComrade:A revolutionary giant, a leader and people’s servant till the end
A revolutionary and a soldier of the people and an advocate for women’s empowerment, Mrs.Vuyiswa Margaret Lieta (nee Tyobeka), combat name Thandi Zuma, was born on February11 1954 to the late Zinyusile Tyobeka and Nancy Tyobeka (nee Kiti) in Queenstown, eBongweni. She was the only daughter amongst four brothers, three of whom – Vuyisile, Mlungisi and Wonga – passed on and the surviving brother, Mxolisi.
She started her schooling at Baptist Community School, proceeded to Van Coller Higher Primary, and completed her high school education at Nzima Nkulu. The passing of her parents placed a burden on her shoulders, and she had to choose between proceeding to obtain a tertiary qualification or to find employment to assist her siblings through their schooling. She chose the latter. She started working at Montay’s Furniture Shop as a Sales lady and later proceeded to Fraser Furniture and to Royal Furniture.
She became involved in politics before she left the country. Before she left the country Cde Vuyiswa was actively involved in politics within the youth structures.
She was a member of the Queenstown Youth Organization (QEEYO). She was also actively involved in women structures under the leadership of Mama u Madabane Comrade Mbilini. Her activism was also seen within the United Democratic Front (UDF). At some point she rented a room that was used by the UDF leadership as a classroom for political education.
She also worked with Thozamile Gqwetha, Yure Mdyogolo , Derick Smoko and other comrades. Vuyiswa (Sis Thandi) swelled the ranks of Umkhonto we Sizwe in 1985.
She underwent her basic course in Cetshwayo Base in Caculama Camp in the Eastern part of Angola. She defied her age and gender and took part in all the strenuous and difficult training. She completed her basic military training and became a fully-fledged guerilla, a soldier of our people.
It is during her stay in the bushes of Angola that she distinguished herself as a mother figure to the younger female and male comrades, protecting the vulnerable and supporting the weak. Her passion led her giving guidance to the young female comrades and offered literacy classes to those who needed same. Her passion on women’s struggles and empowerment saw her being appointed as a Commander for the women of MK in Angola.
She was the leader of a four-person structure of MK women leaders responsible for the socio-political upliftment of women soldiers, under the tutelage of Sis Thembi, the current Minister of Defense and Military Veterans, Hon. Nosiviwe Mapisa- Nqakula.
Her leadership in this structure was formidable and showcased her as a politically matured cadre who understood the triple oppression that the South African women were faced with at the time.
Together with her team of leaders, she participated in various activities with the Organization of Angolan Women (OMA) and South West African People’s Organisation (SWAPO) women’s organisation forging stronger relationships between these organizations and the ANC Women’s Section.
Sis Thandi’s political consciousness resulted in the camp administration identifying her as a candidate to be further trained in political education. She was selected to study in the German Democratic Republic (GDR) where she obtained a qualification in Social Sciences at Karl Marxstad in East Berlin. She later proceeded to acquire a Public Administration qualification in Sweden in the early 90s.
This is where she met her husband, Mr. Charles Lieta (combat name – Commissar Sipho Motswana). Upon her return to the country, she worked in different capacities both at provincial and municipal level including being a member of the Senate in the first administration.
She got married to Cde Charles Lieta in 1996. In the 13 years she spent in the Free State she proved herself with tireless efforts that earned her the respect of millions who were inspired by her commitment to democracy, women’s empowerment, the eradication of poverty and civic engagement.
She further advanced these objectives through her service in the Free State Government, the ANCWL, and within the MK community.
She was outspoken and fought against gate keeping. She said : “We must not tire, we must not give up, we must persist.” Her legacy will stand as an example to all of us to persist in our pursuit of progress. In her pursuit for economic empowerment, she opened a clothing store in Bloemfontein Central.
She later joined the tough construction industry and participated in building low-cost houses. Her entrepreneurial spirit is shown also when she opened a Hair Salon at Norkem Park Mall in Kempton Park. At the time of her passing, she was pursuing her dream of being economically independent and expanding her business acumen.
Sis Thandi and Ms Nomathamsanqa Mashoala initiated a military veterans empowerment project; a sewing programme wherein 73 military veterans and their dependents (across associations) are receiving an accredited sewing project through the Gauteng City College.
This is a public and private partnership funded by the Department of Military Veterans and Hensoldt (a German Defence company). This course will ensure improved socio economic conditions of military veterans and their dependents.
Upon her return to Gauteng, she became a National Secretary for the Women Military Veterans of South Africa (WOMVASA). She also served as a member of the Advisory Council for the Minister of Defense and Military Veterans that was established through the Military Veterans Act. She is survived by her husband Charles Sipho Lieta and her daughter Xoliswa.- ANC
