Everest community mourns shop owner’s death
Community members from the Everest informal settlement attended a memorial service held for fellow resident and local shop owner Timothy Makhubela (53), who was shot and killed last Wednesday.
Called Mswati by all who knew him, Makhubele was the community liaison officer at the Transnet Foundation, Springs Community Centre’s garden project.
The memorial service was held at the centre.
“His death saddens me, as he played a huge role in the garden project,” says Peter Pelele, Transnet site project manager.
He met Makhubele in May, 2014 when the centre was burned down during protests against municipal service delivery in Gugulethu and Everest.
“At the time we needed leaders who were willing to face challenges and Mswati was such a person,” he says.
Their relationship soon transformed from that of colleagues to one akin to family.
Peter says Makhubele understood the responsibility they faced serving the community against all odds.
He describes Makhubele as a true leader who will never be forgotten.
During his speech at the memorial service, Peter quoted Albert Pike, “What we have done for ourselves alone, dies with us, but what we have done for others, remains and is immortal”.
“He was a father figure to all at the centre and we will miss him,” says Peter.
Capt Johannes Ramphora, Springs police spokesman, says Makhubela was shot and killed during an armed robbery at his shop.
Three armed men wearing balaclavas made off with an undisclosed amount of cash and Makhubela’s cellphone.
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