Colourful Nthai wore many hats
Glue that held the family together
Born: September 29 1954 Died: June 30 Funeral: Tomorrow at Tshifudi Lutheran Church, 7am Burial: Family private graveyard
Donald Mukondeleli Nthai was born into a religious family in September 1954.
He was raised in Tshifudi, Limpopo, until our parents separated in 1961. The rest of his formative years were spent at Gogobole village in Sinthumule area, also in Limpopo.
Nthai became a herd boy while staying with our uncle Arnold Manyama who was a successful farmer
Nthai started his primary schooling at Gogobole Primary. He continued school at Makumbane Primary after my mother and brothers had settled at Tshisahulu village in 1968.
In 1974, he proceeded to further his studies at Lwamondo High where he passed Grade 11.
He could not proceed to register for Grade 12 as he was expelled from school for insubordination.
That led him to study privately and he finally passed matric in 1980.
My brother was married to Albertina Nthai and Maria Phadziri. He later separated from both of them.
Nthai was a talented man who excelled in many fields. Between 1975 and 1977, he was employed on a temporary basis as a teacher at Phiriphiri Secondary School.
In 1978, he worked at Tshakhuma Post Office as an administrative clerk and a year later he was employed at Tshilidzini Hospital as an admission clerk.
In 1981, he was recruited by our uncle to join the department of agriculture.
Between 1986 and 2005, he ventured into the field of financial services.
He quickly rose within the ranks and became a manager in the employ of JN Brokers in charge of the Thohoyandou branch.
In 2006, he decided to pursue his passion for education when he joined the University of Potchefstroom’s outreach programme aimed at recruiting black students. He worked as a registration officer.
My brother was a devoted family man who took great care of all his family members. He was a glue that held the family together.
Nthai has been a member of the Lutheran Church since childhood.
He had been ill for a considerable period of time and was in and out of hospital on several occasions.
His death finds him deeply mourned by his brother, sisters, five children and eight grandchildren.
He will be sorely missed.