Muyexe mourns community builder Makuhani-Baloyi
Former nurse ‘changed and touched many people’s lives in the village’
Name: Mthavini Dorah Makuhani-Baloyi
Date of birth: February 2 1959 Date of death: February 15th Funeral: 6am tomorrow at Muyexe village in Giyani
The community of Muyexe in the Greater Giyani local municipality has been plunged into mourning following the death of community builder and trailblazer, granny Mthavini Dorah Makuhani-Baloyi, who was the first nurse in the village and also touched the lives of many rural people.
The selfless granny died of natural causes at the age of 65.
According to the Comprehensive Rural Development Programme, Muyexe is one of the poorest villages in the country, resulting in the government under former president Jacob Zuma to initiate programmes in the village that were aimed at changing the face of the community.
Makuhani-Baloyi was one of the local people who stood out to help members of the community on the day-to-day basis.
Following her passing, Hosi Sambula Samson Muyexe hailed the late woman as a fallen heroine.
“She was the first nurse in the village and also assisted community members to initiate development projects,” he said.
Muyexe added: “I personally grew under her as she worked with my late father to develop the community.”
The chief said the late woman was selfless and was dearly loved in the community.
Her younger brother, Moses Makuhani, said his late sister was a trend-setter.
“When she became a nurse, she was setting a pace for us at home and all her siblings followed in her steps,” said Makuhani.
Well-known author Fetsie Maluleke, who is also from Muyexe, expressed grief at Makuhani-Baloyi’s passing.
“The death of Mhani Dorah is a huge blow to the village. For decades she played a major role in building the village of Muyexe by ensuring everyone was taken care of.
“She would knock on every door to give health advice to sick people, and I personally benefited from her service,” he said.
Makuhani-Baloyi was born at Mulenzhe village, then known as Piet Boy, on February 2 1959.
She was the first-born child of Mkhacani Makuhani and his wife Grace Makuhani (neé Makhubele).
She did her primary schooling at Khakhala and her secondary education at Mahlamba Ndlopfu Secondary School, now known as Hanyani Thomo.
As a resident of Muyexe, she taught many rural woman how to cook and bake.
She used her oven made of bricks to bake cakes for sale and many rural women fended for their families after learning from her.
She also cooked many other traditional dishes for sale.
She is survived by her husband, Risimati Elphas Baloyi, and six children. She will be buried tomorrow at Muyexe village in the Greater Giyani local municipality tomorrow.