Maso was full of life, love and laughter
DEATH, ever the thief that often comes when least expected to snatch what we value most, has crept upon us again and taken one of us.
When I heard of the death of my friend and former teaching colleague “Maso” last week, it was with news that hit you like a ton of bricks. She was one of those people, we were supposed to run this race together into our golden years.
Death has robbed us of a beloved mother, sister and giver of love to those that had the privilege of knowing her.
I first met Maso in the early 1990s when we were young graduate teachers in Mahikeng, North West.
Back then we were still trying to find our place in the universe, and building our lives and careers while having loads of fun and navigating life’s challenges. That was shortly before I left the teaching profession.
We still kept in touch as we continued to navigate our different paths in life, challenges of single parenting and all the joys and pain that life threw at us.
Maso brought with her qualities of a woman full of life, love, laughter and was an exuberant, outrageous personality. She was a true township girl who was street-wise, smart and knew how to dress to impress.
She filled a room each time she walked into it. I will miss her laughter and her wild smile.
I will miss how she could laugh about anything and lighten even the darkest of situations.
For years she had been living with diabetes, but managed it so well.
I guess we could say that everyone of us has got their predetermined time of arrival as well as predetermined time of departure in this world.
She was a dedicated mother to her kids, had a charming personality and was such a larger-thanlife, fun-loving person.
Maso was just an easy person to get to know and get along with.
An avid music lover, she was a member of a local jazz club and many other entertainment ventures. She really celebrated her life and lived in style. “Her family and friends will dearly miss her,” friend Sonto Maeyane said.
Maso was born on November 2 1966 in Boipatong, Vanderbijlpark, where she grew up and had her primary schooling.
She later attended Sefikeng College of Education in QwaQwa, Free State, where she qualified as a teacher. She began her teaching career at Mmuakabo Primary School in Itsoseng, North West, then proceeded to work at the local education district office until her untimely death.
Maso is survived by her two children – son Katlego and daughter Bonolo – her mother Mantsane Sina Maboe and her extended family. She will be buried tomorrow. The service will begin at 7am at the Boipatong Anglican Church in Vanderbijlpark. She will then later be laid to rest at Vanderbijlpark Cemetery at 10am.
Rest in peace my dear friend. – Maseipati Tsotsotso