eMBALENHLE – Hundreds of friends, family and congregants gathered at the Uniting Reformed Church in Extension 1 to pay tribute to Ms Maphala Edith Gulube on Saturday, 30 June.
Ms Gulube died in the early hours of Monday, 25 June in a hospital in Pretoria after a short illness.
She leaves behind her three children, Ms Ruth Motsatsi, Mr Raymond Gulube and Dr Same Gulube who is a secretary of Defence, 12 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.
Her family labeled her as a strong, hardworking and dedicated woman.
Ms Motsatsi said the family is struggling to accept the death of their mother and grandmother as she was a strong person who had survived many serious illnesses, including cancer.
“We are grateful to the community of eMbalenhle for honouring our mother and for giving her a dignified send off.
The 92-year-old was praised by the mourners for her contributions to the community of eMbalenhle.
She was described as a community builder and an activist for education who lobbied support for the disabled, the aged and pre-primary children.
The Maphala Gulube Primary School was named after her after she had written a letter to late president Nelson Mandela in 1999.
She was also a founder of the Basizeni LSEN School and Age in Action organisation for the elderly.
Mr Sam Mahlasela, speaking at the memorial service held at the House of Praise Tabernacle on Thursday, 28 June, said Ms Gulube gave her life to the development of eMbalenhle.
He appealed to Govan Mbeki Municipality to fulfill her wishes of getting land for her organisation Age in Action.
She was buried at the old eMbalenhle graveyard in Cross Road.
