Gentle giant with many varying talents
Former Libode mayor and respected teacher Harrison Ndzima Maqolo has died at the age of 91.
Maqolo was the founder and principal of Libode Village Junior Secondary and Bhekizulu High schools.
He also served as an advisor to AmaMpondo paramount chief and former Transkei president Tutor Ndamase.
Maqolo was born in Viedgesville in Mthatha on March 23 1928 and died on March 10 at Mthatha’s Nelson Mandela Academic Hospital after a long illness, his granddaughter, Nwabisa Maqolo said.
She described her grandfather as a disciplinarian who was passionate about education.
His Maqolo funeral parlour donated immensely to local schools, including Maqolo Junior Secondary school, Nwabisa said.
Maqolo is the eldest son of the late John Jackson Maqolo and the late Elizabeth Mantombi Maqolo (nee Tyumre) from Zimbane, Mthatha.
Maqolo, or “HR” as he was affectionately called, attended Xhugxwala Primary School and passed his matric at St John’s College in Mthatha before obtaining a teaching qualification at the College of St Johns in 1950.
Maqolo said her grandfather had been principal of many schools.
“He became a principal for the first time in 1960 at Cibeni Junior Secondary School (JSS). Before that, he taught at Zangci JSS in Mqanduli before moving to Marubeni JSS in 1952.”
In 1973 he moved to Moyeni locality and became principal of Moyeni JSS outside Mthatha. “This was the last school he worked at as principal.”
Nwabisa said: “He specialised in soccer, tennis, and excelled in music. He was a musician by birth. He won several compe- titions in choral music and was a champion among his peers. He was elected as the first black mayor of Libode village management board back then.”
During his mayorship, he built the town hall, which is still standing.
In 1954 he met and married Adelaide Nomalizo Makaula from Bizana in the village of Nomlacu.
The couple were blessed with 10 children.
In retirement he dedicated his life to serving the Lord and answered his calling by becoming a lay minister. He was ordained in Ntlaza Mission of St Barnabas. He also joined the local men’s guild known as Amadodana.
He is survived by his wife Nomalizo Maqolo, 10 children, 14 grandchildren and three great grandchildren.
“He was a gentle giant, a philanthropist and a disciplinarian.
“He was very obsessed with punctuality and if you were late for school, he would leave you behind.”
Maqolo will be buried in Libode on March 21 at the Candlelight Nursing College grounds.