Tribute to remarkable MaMbeki and her life

IN howling wind and dust, 2000 mourners made their way to Epainette Mbeki's rural village home in Ngcingwane on Saturday to pay homage to a role model for many struggling South African women.

MaMbeki's funeral on Saturday was at times animated, at times poignant.

MaMbeki, 98, wife of struggle icon Govan Mbeki, died on June 7 at St Dominic's Hospital in East London after a short illness. She was buried by her sons, former president Thabo and political analyst Moeletsi, together with Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa, Minister in the Presidency Jeff Radebe and Human Settlements Minister Lindiwe Sisulu.

UDM leader Bantu Holomisa and Economic Freedom Fighters leader Julius Malema also attended.

Ramaphosa said: "For 75 years, MaMbeki sacrificed to improve the lives of our people. I wish we could all be like that."

Speaking on behalf of the Mbeki family, Fezeka Mabona told how MaMbeki assisted the women in her community by helping them find independence and respect. Much of this was through her work on the Khanyisa Project she founded in Ngcingwane.

Mabona said MaMbeki was fiercely independent right until the end. "We told Thabo that his mother wasn't eating, and when Thabo phoned her about this she told him, 'You mustn't listen to people who are bossing me around'."

Eastern Cape premier Phumulo Masualle said she was one of a rare breed of women. "Fierce, determined and astute, MaMbeki always spoke her mind and pulled no punches when criticising those she believed were wrong," Masualle said.

The equal role of women in society and youth empowerment were more than just lip service to her, "she made it happen".

The women of MaMbeki's Khanyisa Project emphasised the late struggle hero's cheeky sense of humour and wit.

A woman who worked very closely with her through the Khanyisa Project, told the mourners: "MaMbeki found women like me who were broken and didn't know what to do. She collected us and told us we must do something for ourselves.

"MaMbeki said we must start a project. We said: 'What's a project?' She said: 'You use your skills'. We asked her: 'What are skills?' We didn't know what skills were," she said to laughter.

MaMbeki was laid to rest in Dutywa on Saturday afternoon. - Michelle Solomon