Achiever lived life to the full
BORN: April 18 1975
DIED: January 27 2017
FUNERAL: February 11 2017
BURIAL: Avalon Cemetery, Soweto
DEATH, ever creeping up on us like a thief in the night, has dimmed the light in my family, plunging us into darkness.
Charlotte Tebogo Sekwakwa was that spark that illuminated the family home. She was a beloved sister who was a pillar of the Sekwakwa family. In Sotho we say “sejana se setle ha se jelle” (loosely meaning the best dish in the cabinet is the one that often breaks).
She remained the integral part of our family even as we all grew older and fled the nest. Even through her ill health, she never gave up until the end – on January 27. She had battled ill health since 2014.
Sekwakwa was born on April 18 1975 in Diepkloof, Soweto. She attended local schools, starting at Andrew Chakane Lower Primary, then to Qhobosheane Primary until she matriculated at Madibane High School.
She completed her BA law degree at the University of the North (Turfloop), in 1996.
She worked for a number of corporate companies, including Nedbank and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), where she held key positions, before settling into a career at the Small Business Development unit within the department.
She remained at the department until her death.
I have fond memories of my sister, a generous spirit whose giving nature knew no boundaries.
She was a true giver of life to anyone whose life she touched.
Ever the wise cracker with a great sense of humour and a soft-spoken nature, she kept everyone in stitches even as she was battling ill health in hospital. She could lighten up even the heaviest of burdens with her sharp wit.
The way she lived her life was as if she knew she did not have much time left in this world. While most of us were still drafting bucket lists, she had ticked almost all the boxes on hers.
An avid traveller, Sekwakwa had been to most countries on the African continent and the world. She had been to almost all the key places and destinations in South Africa, southern Africa, Kenya and Senegal to name a few.
She was full of life and never denied herself the finer things that life had to offer.
She used the same precision in her life in general.
She was an astute organiser whose life panned out the way she planned it when she was younger. It was as if she was born with a manual in her hand.
As we all struggled to connect the dots in our own lives, hers were long connected before her time.
God clearly had a plan with her. Her death leaves us not only with fond memories, but with great lessons to always seize the moment, live in the present, give generously, regret nothing and always be grateful. Though we are poorer without her, we are richer with her spirit that lives on in our hearts.
She will always be remembered for her beauty, brains, generosity and gracefulness.
We were truly blessed to have had her in our lives. Her legacy lives on.
The funeral service will be held at 8am at the Old Apostolic Church (also known as Broer & Suster) in Diepkloof, Zone 1.
She is survived by her mother, two brothers, five sisters and two generations of nephews and nieces.
Robala ka kgotso Mothokwa!