FORMER president Thabo Mbeki’s mother Epainette Mbeki, who died last Saturday, is to be buried next to her daughter Linda Thokozile who died in 2003 at the Dutywa cemetery on Saturday.
Being buried her next to her first-born child, who was born in 1941, fulfills her longtime wish.
Villagers who spoke to the Dispatch yesterday said it was well known that this was her wish.
Her husband Govan Mbeki was buried in Port Elizabeth when he died in 2001.
Nocingile Mbombo, MaMbeki’s 88-year-old neighbour, said the icon, who had been like a sister to her, had made it clear she wanted to be buried in Dutywa.
“When we chatted she said she wanted to be buried here. She liked Ngcingwana; this village was everything to her. The community of Ngcingwana was her second family.
“We are happy that she is to be buried here and not in Johannesburg or Pretoria,” said Mbombo.
The Mbekis moved to Ngcingwana in 1974. MaMbeki operated a trading and liquor store and founded a bead and sewing project.
MaMbeki will have “provincial official funeral” as declared by President Jacob Zuma on Monday.
Premier’s office spokeswoman Nomfanelo Kota confirmed that a memorial service for MaMbeki would be held at the King Hintsa FET College in Dutywa starting at noon.
Kota said the provincial executive council would meet today in Bhisho to consider preparations for the funeral.
Preparations are already under way, with the road to MaMbeki’s home village being fixed.
The grave was prepared on Monday and it is expected that a tombstone will be ready today.
Law enforcement agencies and provincial and municipal senior officials met yesterday morning at the Mbhashe municipality for a briefing on preparations.
The South African national flag flew at half-mast at Mbhashe municipality.
The Nomaka Senior Technical School community, which is named after MaMbeki, held a memorial service.
Kota said that although Thabo Mbeki and his brother Moeletsi were yet to arrive, they had been in East London preparing for the funeral.
MaMbeki's long time wish fulfilled
Being buried her next to her first-born child, who was born in 1941, fulfills her longtime wish.
Villagers who spoke to the Dispatch yesterday said it was well known that this was her wish.
Her husband Govan Mbeki was buried in Port Elizabeth when he died in 2001.
Nocingile Mbombo, MaMbeki’s 88-year-old neighbour, said the icon, who had been like a sister to her, had made it clear she wanted to be buried in Dutywa.
“When we chatted she said she wanted to be buried here. She liked Ngcingwana; this village was everything to her. The community of Ngcingwana was her second family.
“We are happy that she is to be buried here and not in Johannesburg or Pretoria,” said Mbombo.
The Mbekis moved to Ngcingwana in 1974. MaMbeki operated a trading and liquor store and founded a bead and sewing project.
MaMbeki will have “provincial official funeral” as declared by President Jacob Zuma on Monday.
Premier’s office spokeswoman Nomfanelo Kota confirmed that a memorial service for MaMbeki would be held at the King Hintsa FET College in Dutywa starting at noon.
Kota said the provincial executive council would meet today in Bhisho to consider preparations for the funeral.
Preparations are already under way, with the road to MaMbeki’s home village being fixed.
The grave was prepared on Monday and it is expected that a tombstone will be ready today.
Law enforcement agencies and provincial and municipal senior officials met yesterday morning at the Mbhashe municipality for a briefing on preparations.
The South African national flag flew at half-mast at Mbhashe municipality.
The Nomaka Senior Technical School community, which is named after MaMbeki, held a memorial service.
Kota said that although Thabo Mbeki and his brother Moeletsi were yet to arrive, they had been in East London preparing for the funeral.
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