Alexandra will always remember the late MmaMakhene
A staunch fighter for the return of the land and property rights in Alexandra under Aploa, Matladi Grace Makhene will always be remembered.
Matladi Grace Makhene, a centenarian of 105 years old and staunch member and fighter of the Alexandra Land and Property Owners Association (Alpoa), is no more.
She died on January 19 and has been laid to rest at the Waterfall Cemetery in Midrand. She was also a beneficiary of the Phuthaditjaba Centre of Alex philanthropist Linda Twala, who also assisted with the burial.
She was born on February 17, 1918, to Rev Ezekiel Ratshepe and Martha Mathe Makhene.
Her family knew her as ‘Rakgadi’ and and the community of Alexandra affectionately called her MmaMakhene, especially during her time as an ardent Alpoa fighter for the restoration of the township’s land and property rights.
Her grandson Eugene Makhene, a biker of the Assault Ryderz in Alex, described his granny as a ‘God-fearing, loving person born in the dusty streets of Alexandra which was then known as the Dark City for its lack of electricity.
“She lived an extraordinary life of sacrifice and was always a humble servant of the Lord and a generous giver and always had more than a smile for children as she had immense love for them. It came as no surprise when she answered her call to be a midwife – a calling she respected and served with excellence and dedication,” Eugene said.
Even after she retired from midwifery, her love for children did not retire instead it enlarged and that was when Bridgeman Nursery School was born.
Eugene described his granny as an anchor and pillar of strength to her community and that she was always available to give a helping hand when the need arose and was also a staunch member of the ‘Donkey Church’, better known as the Methodist Church in Africa.
I will always remember her for her passion for the written word as she absolutely loved writing and was so good at it, she even entered writing competitions. Rest in peace grandma and you will always live in minds and hearts forever,” Eugene said.
She is survived by her two sons Ben and Kgakgamatso, daughter-in-law Rosinah Makhene, 12 grandchildren, 28 great-grandchildren, two great-great-grandchildren and the Makhene family.
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