Prayer meetings, burial of minister’s father

DEFENCE and Military Veterans Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula’s father will be laid to rest next Thursday in East London.

The funeral service of the minister’s father, Douglas Mapisa, will be held at Abbotsford Christian Centre from 9am. The 96-year-old died on Sunday after a long illness at Cecilia Makiwane Hospital.

Family spokeswoman Joy Peter said a memorial service will be held at the Anglican Church of the Holy Cross in NU1 in Mdantsane next Wednesday at 6pm.

“There will be prayer meetings at 6pm at his Mdantsane home from Sunday [tomorrow] to Tuesday,” Peter said.

She said Mapisa-Nqakula was saddened by the passing of her father.

When he died, the minister was out of the country on an official trip which she then cut short to be with her family. .

“She is eternally grateful for the support she has received from the public,” Peter said.

Mapisa was a former teacher and a sports administrator. He was described as having contributed a lot to sport development of the Mdantsane and East London area.

Boxing SA Eastern Cape manager Phakamile Jacobs said he had never seen a ring announcer who dressed beautifully as Mapisa.

Meanwhile, the Bhisho Legislature will hold a memorial service for the late former transport MEC Gloria Barry in Port Elizabeth on Tuesday. The service will be at the Gelvandale Community Hall at 2pm, legislature speaker Noxolo Kiviet’s spokeswoman as Maria Hermans said.

Barry died on November 24 after falling into a coma and was buried the same day.

“The service will be a time to reflect and celebrate Ms Barry’s life and achievements,” Hermans said, adding Barry retired from public office in 2010. — zolilem@tisoblackstar.