The Boabab Tree of Jozana has fallen. Sivakele isithonga kwintseni namhlanje. MaCharlie Mamaronakaofela Mohapi has departed the world of living. On behalf of Jozana Foundation, I express heart felt condolences to the Mohapi Family, sisithi Aluhlanga Lungehlanga. Affectionately known as Mem in Jozana , she was an Educator by profession. As I will not present a truncated biography of her, MaCharlie was a pioneer of education, a social entrepreneur, a guardian of cultural values of diverse people (Sothos,Xhosas,AmaHlubie etc) and a Christian of note with Methodist Church in Sterkspruit . On her 94th Birthday in August I wrote, MaCharlie, an eminent patriotic teacher who thought all of us how to become good citizens, an outstanding mother to our countrys fallen hero Mapetla Mohapi, the list goes on and on, it is endless like her life as she turns 94. As Jozanites, we will contininue to say that whenever and wherever the sacred roll of our heroines and heroes is called, so will we, for all time, find among these, the name, MaCharlie Mohapi.Hence some of us harbour in the sub-conscious mind the comforting but true notion that MaCharlie Mohapi would always be with us - a towering tree as majestic and magnificent and life giving as umbhongisa.I have always imagined MaCharlie sitting and engaging in learned discourse with her daughters,today, a month ago, my imagination turned into reality as I shook her warm lively hand, a lifelong blessing indeed. MaCharlie, as an education guru and child development expert in her life time came along some shocks and disappointments. One of those, as narrated by herself and her daughter Dithlari, was to be denied attendance of the graduation ceremony at Turfloop University (Now University of the North) of her beloved son, Mapetla Mohapi by the then Apartheid Hierarchy.Subsequently, Mapetla Mohapi and others (BCM cadres such Mthuli KaShezi,Steve Biko,Barney Pityana, Mamphele Ramphele , Mosibudi Mangena etc ) boycotted the graduation ceremony at Turfloop.This is how painfully deep runs education in this Mohapi Family, let alone for MaCharlie to loose his beloved son, Mapetla Mohapi in 1976, in detention , murdered by the then Apartheid Security Agents. In 2002, the statue of his son, Mapetla Mohapi was unveiled at Sterkspruit. In 2004, President Mbeki, a sitting president then, honored MaCharlies son, Mapetla Mohapi with the Order of Luthuli in Silver for his struggle credentials. MaCharlie Mohapi, gave this nation education, gave this nation cultural values, gave this nation religion, and most painfully so, gave this this nation, her son, Mapetla Mohapi. May her soul rest in peace, we will always draw inspiration from her and be eternally grateful to her for making us good and responsible citizens. MaCharlie Mohapi will be laid to rest on Saturday, 03rd January 2015, Jozanas Hoek, Sterkspruit . Robala ka kgotso MoHlakoane! With love and admiration from: Khotso Mothobi.
Posted on: Tue, 23 Dec 2014 14:54:34 +0000
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