Mhlaba foundation to help needy

RAYMOND Mhlaba’s role as commander-in-chief of the ANC’s military wing Umkhonto weSizwe was remembered at the weekend in Port Elizabeth during the inauguration of a non-profit organisation bearing his name.

The Raymond and Dixie Mhlaba Foundation (RDMF) was launched at the Eastcape Training Centre on Friday.

Mhlaba, the first premier of the Eastern Cape and a giant in the liberation struggle, died in 2005. His wife, Dideka, died five years later.

The couple, fondly known as Oom Ray and Aunt Dixie, retired to their Summerstrand home where they lived until well into their 80s.

To chants of “long live, Oom Ray and maDixie, long live”, the event also marked, the 55th anniversary of Umkhonto weSizwe having been founded officially on December 16 1961.

RDMF founding trustee and acting chief executive Traci Mackie said: “The Day of Reconciliation was the perfect day to announce that this very important entity exists.”

She said the foundation’s purpose was to promote social, racial and cultural cohesion while assisting communities in the Eastern Cape develop economic development programmes.

Establishing the foundation was made possible with support from the National Lotteries Commission.

It also evolved with guidance from stakeholders, including the Eastern Cape legislature and NMMU.

The foundation hosted about 200 military veterans at its inauguration.

Former mayor of Port Elizabeth, Nceba Faku, who spent time on Robben Island with Oom Ray, paid tribute to the couple.

Foundation chairwoman Nomawethu Mhlaba said: “What struck me at the event was the plight of the military veterans – so many are aggrieved, scarred and forgotten.

“It is our duty as a collective to support them and their families in whatever way we can.”