Tributes pour in for premier’s mom
PREMIER Phumulo Masualle’s mother Dineo Masualle will be laid to rest at Mpheko village outside Mthatha on Saturday.
The 89-year-old died at the weekend after she recently suffered a stroke.
She had been living with the premier at the time of her death.
Tributes continued to pour in yesterday, with the ANC provincial secretary Oscar Mabuyane calling for a moment of silence yesterday during his visit to the Ethembeni Old-Age home for his Mandela Day 67 minutes.
The Congress of Traditional Leaders of South Africa (Contralesa) expressed shock and sadness on the premier’s mother’s passing.
Mabuyane is expected to lead a delegation of ANC provincial leaders to pay their respects to Masualle’s family tomorrow.
Mabuyane yesterday said the passing of the premier’s mother is a loss of someone who indirectly participated a great deal in the national democratic revolution (NDR) by giving birth to the province’s first citizen.
“It is not every day that a woman can give birth to a premier of a province. Mama Masualle deserves the greatest of respect from all of us for hers is a special one for giving us a son who has contributed immensely to the struggle of our people,” he said.
Meanwhile, Contralesa also sent its condolences to the Masualle family.
“We would like to convey our heartfelt condolences to the entire Masualle family and the society at large,” said Contralesa provincial secretary Chief Dalisizwe Dudumayo.
“Contralesa cannot imagine the pain of losing a mother who has been the core strength of the family and who has played a vital role in shaping the future of our country.”
Contralesa said the country would have benefited a great deal from the wisdom of “mama Dineo”, especially in the times of political hopelessness.
“Her passing on has happened at the time when society needs women like her to tap on her wisdom in bringing back the moral values.
“Contralesa believes that her spirit will live on and that her death will bring light to every South African citizen,” Dudumayo said. —
/