Mom Mamayila was pillar of strength to mayor Shibambu
Maluleke a font of wisdom despite lack of eduction
Date of birth : March 26 1947 Date of death: January 11 Funeral: Tomorrow at Maluleke homestead at Muyeshe village, Greater Giyani municipality, at 6am Burial: Mueyshe royal burial site
Although she herself was hardly literate, the late Mamayila Anna Maluleke (née Mashava), was a person highly respected by the community of Muyeshe, next to the Kruger National Park in Limpopo.
Maluleke was the mother of Basani Agnes Shibambu, the current mayor of the Greater Giyani municipality.
Maluleke died on Saturday of natural causes, plunging the community and her children into deep mourning.
Grieving mayor Shibambu said her mother was her pillar of strength.
“She was the pillar of my strength and despite her lack of education she contributed immensely to my life and I owe a lot in life to her,” said Shibambu.
She said she would always seek her mother’s counsel in most matters in her life.
“It is not an easy thing to lose your parents and I am feeling much pain,” she said.
Local resident John Mahosi, a school teacher, said the community mourned the woman who was exemplary.
“She was very principled and was a very clean person,” said Mahosi.
“She brought up her children in a good way because they are all good citizens and despite the lack of education herself she has led her children to attain education.
“And besides the mayor, one of her sons, Gaza Maluleke, is a doctor in academia who graduated from Wits University.”
Born in Pietboy, now called Mulenzhe, in 1947, Maluleke was the third-born child of the late July and Nwa Nghomambhi Mashava.
Many leaders visited the family during the week.
They included leaders of the ANC in Mopani, the political management of the Greater Giyani municipality and traditional leaders.
She is survived by her six children and eight grandchildren.
She brought up her kids in a good way