The 72-year-old Moses Linda Shube is an avid community giver and hopes that youngsters will draw inspiration from his life.
Shube is a retired primary school teacher and the founder of the KaBokweni Senior Citizens Association (Kasca).
He was recently celebrated at Kiaat Private Hospital by his family, friends and associates when they unveiled an avocado tree he planted in 2017 after his leg was amputated due to a chronic disease in 2016.
He said the aim of planting the tree at the hospital was to remain hopeful that he would live longer after the operation. “This tree shows that there is life. I have lived a healthy life for eight years after the operation and thank God for that. I had no hope of living after the amputation. I want this tree to provide oxygen and food to the patients at this hospital for as long as it lives,” Shube said.
Throughout his life, he has advocated for community equality. His passion was visible through his teaching techniques that improved the lives of many in the region.
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“I believe I have played an inspirational role in the community. I was a teacher, a circuit steward for the Methodist Church of South Africa in KaBokweni, and an ANC community councillor for two terms. I started teaching in the public primary school system in 1975. I taught in areas such as KaBokweni, Pienaar, Likazi and Kaapmuiden. Growing up, I was encouraged to become a pastor, but finances did not allow this, therefore I became a teacher to also contribute financially at home.”
He retired as a teacher in 2005, and founded Kasca in 2006, which helps retired professionals in Nsikazi to find ways of keeping busy and give back to the community.
“The association is open to anyone who is retired. Over time, we attracted pensioners from Likazi and Hazyview and that is how those branches of the association were founded. The branch in Likazi is now known as the KaNyamazane Government Senior Citizens Social Club, while the one in Hazyview has yet to be determined. Through the association, we have donated clothes, school uniforms, food parcels and more to underprivileged individuals in several communities,” he said.
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Shube hopes people will carry forth his legacy and become more involved in the community, especially young people.
“I wanted to touch the lives of young people so they can see that they need education for the careers they embark on. I wish to see them create their own job opportunities rather than relying on the government. The Nsikazi area is rich in agricultural activities. Take over the spaces that are made available and flourish,” he said.
