Community mourns land rights crusader

Born: February 17 1961 Died: September 19, 2016 Buried: Phalabowa, Limpopo

DURING the handover of compensation money to land claimants on May 21 this year, President Jacob Zuma praised people who fought for the return of their ancestral land. He mentioned land claims activist Edward Cliff Mathebula, who died on Monday.

Many leaders such as Hosi Makhuva and the late Hosi Phendulani Mnisi have praised him for organising communities to claim back all their dispossessed land. Author Mandla Mathebula praised the late leader for his selfless service to the community. “He may have passed on, but he will not be forgotten,” said Mandla.

Mathebula died at Phalaborwa Hospital on September 19 after a long battle with sugar diabetics and cancer. He was born on February 17 1961 in Acornhoek, Mpumalanga. He is survived by his wife, Maggie, and two daughters. He was buried in Phalabowa, Limpopo. May he rest in peace.