“Mama Tofu”, a beloved Xhosa cultural activist and tourism pioneer, has died at 96.
Winifred Tofu, a stalwart tour guide, who mentored several tour guides, died last week after spending years sharing the rich history of the Eastern Cape and isiXhosa culture with international tourists.
Tofu, a mother of six, had been ill since the beginning of the year.
She died in her Ngxingxolo home in Mooiplaas last Thursday with two of her children by her side.
Family spokeswoman Zinzi Tofu, Tofu’s second-born, described her mother as strong-willed and compassionate.
“Mama was always a hard worker who fought tooth and nail for her family and community. She was a true ambassador of the Xhosa clan, who also only ate staple foods regardless. She was living what she was sharing with the rest of the world.”
An emotional Zinzi recalled how her mother “broke her back trying to put her children and grandchildren through school”.
Amathole District Municipality Executive Mayor Nomasikizi Konza commended Tofu for committing her life to promoting Xhosa culture.
“Mama Tofu was involved in tourism development and promotion since 1990s and later worked with Khayalabantu cultural village, where she led local mamas in her home village to exhibit the Xhosa culture for both international and local visitors at Khayalabantu cultural village.
“She later decided to establish her own Ngxingxolo cultural village with the intention of showing an authentic cultural Xhosa way of life. This was a very good move from Mama Tofu’s side because it allowed her to share her vast knowledge in heritage, cultural beliefs and values with all of us at ADM.”
Konza extended condolences to Mama Tofu’s bereaved family, friends and the tourism industry saying: “She was awarded two ADM mayoral special awards for women in tourism and six best cultural village awards six years in a row.
Khayalabantu cultural director, Michael Corbet, who worked with her for about 16 years, described his relationship with Tofu as “nothing short of a love affair”, and chuckled.
“I put her together with the tourists and in no time she got the hang of things and was making a name for herself. “
Tourist guide Celeste Salzwedel, 58, said she had learnt a lot from Tofu. “We got along like a house on fire and although we came from different backgrounds we understood each other so well. She was an incredible woman with vast knowledge, a wonderful sense of humour and big fan of cricket.” — mbalit@dispatch.co.za
Legacy ends after tourist guide dies
Winifred Tofu, a stalwart tour guide, who mentored several tour guides, died last week after spending years sharing the rich history of the Eastern Cape and isiXhosa culture with international tourists.
Tofu, a mother of six, had been ill since the beginning of the year.
She died in her Ngxingxolo home in Mooiplaas last Thursday with two of her children by her side.
Family spokeswoman Zinzi Tofu, Tofu’s second-born, described her mother as strong-willed and compassionate.
“Mama was always a hard worker who fought tooth and nail for her family and community. She was a true ambassador of the Xhosa clan, who also only ate staple foods regardless. She was living what she was sharing with the rest of the world.”
An emotional Zinzi recalled how her mother “broke her back trying to put her children and grandchildren through school”.
Amathole District Municipality Executive Mayor Nomasikizi Konza commended Tofu for committing her life to promoting Xhosa culture.
“Mama Tofu was involved in tourism development and promotion since 1990s and later worked with Khayalabantu cultural village, where she led local mamas in her home village to exhibit the Xhosa culture for both international and local visitors at Khayalabantu cultural village.
“She later decided to establish her own Ngxingxolo cultural village with the intention of showing an authentic cultural Xhosa way of life. This was a very good move from Mama Tofu’s side because it allowed her to share her vast knowledge in heritage, cultural beliefs and values with all of us at ADM.”
Konza extended condolences to Mama Tofu’s bereaved family, friends and the tourism industry saying: “She was awarded two ADM mayoral special awards for women in tourism and six best cultural village awards six years in a row.
Khayalabantu cultural director, Michael Corbet, who worked with her for about 16 years, described his relationship with Tofu as “nothing short of a love affair”, and chuckled.
“I put her together with the tourists and in no time she got the hang of things and was making a name for herself. “
Tourist guide Celeste Salzwedel, 58, said she had learnt a lot from Tofu. “We got along like a house on fire and although we came from different backgrounds we understood each other so well. She was an incredible woman with vast knowledge, a wonderful sense of humour and big fan of cricket.” — mbalit@dispatch.co.za
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