CHOIR MASTER’S SERVICES IN DEMAND

Funeral: Tomorrow Service: Ebenezer Lutheran Church in Zone 2, Meadowlands Burial: West Park Cemetery

FORMER school principal, Thomas Michael Mafoko, pictured, has died aged 71.

Mafoko, the former head of Lekang Primary School in Central Western Jabavu in Soweto, realised early that to remain in the spotlight, he needed to excel at whatever he turned his talents to. That is why it was no accident that he gained a reputation as the go-to person when it came to choir conducting and getting pupils ready for music competitions.

As a result of the trophyladen cabinets at several schools he taught at, word quickly spread and Mafoko’s services as a choir master who could turn the most vocally-wounded pupils into melodic angels, were in serious demand.

With an eye firmly on creating a legacy, Mafoko was instrumental in getting the Phefeni Senior Secondary School choir to record a privatelyfunded album which boasted a pupil’s art illustration on its cover. That was also the same school at which he shared the chalkboard with Mamelodi Sundowns’ Trott Moloto. One of their pupils was former Kaizer Chiefs defender and development coach Ntsie Maphike.

Mafoko was a consummate showman who always had his audience in stitches, earning the moniker, Rrametlaye. When he was not on the stage garnering more accolades for his musical prowess as he led from the front with his unmistakable tenor, his services as a mentor, master of ceremonies and guest speaker were in great demand in Soweto and Rustenburg where he spent his formative years. In between music and teaching, he found time to complete an honours degree at the then Vista University’s Soweto campus.

He was almost lost to teaching after heeding a call by the Curtis Nkondo-led Soweto Teachers Action Committee for all educators to resign in protest against being forced to teach in Afrikaans in 1977. For close to two years, Mafoko eked a living as an administrator for the Evangelical Lutheran Churches in Southern Africa’s Central Diocese, which had the colourful Bishop Manas Buthelezi at the helm.

That is where he was exposed to self-sacrifice and a passion for service to the community as Bishop Buthelezi preached the Black Theology of Liberation.

As his health deteriorated, Mafoko retired as the principal of Lekang Primary after establishing twinning agreements with German and US-based schools, resulting in a marked improvement in resources at the White City Jabavu-based school.

Far from tending the garden at home, Mafoko was thrown into the thick of things after being elected as the tour leader of the Joburg Retired Teachers’ Association. He used his experience as a geography master to organise island cruises and excursions for his colleagues.

Mafoko, who died at Garden City Clinic a few weeks shy of his 72th birthday, is predeceased by his wife, Dimakatso, and second son, Reggie.

He is survived by his son, Klenkie and daughter, Tshepiso.

He will be buried at the West Park Cemetery tomorrow after a service at Ebenezer Lutheran Church in Zone 2 Meadowlands, Soweto.