Fare thee well Magula
Ryder Gabathuse | Tuesday November 8, 2016 17:10
Her remains were interred at the new Gerald Estates cemetery, a few kilometres away from her house at Area L. Speakers, who included family members, former students, friends and neighbours amongst others, presented the late Magula as a generous, sociable, loving, caring and God-fearing person.
One of the speakers, retired customary court president, Ludo Mosojane said that the large turn out of mourners to Magula’s funeral was a sure sign that she had lived with a wide variety of people from across the spectrum.
Mosojane had the opportunity to share a moment with Magula through the Young Women’s Christian Association (YWCA) where the late was also a member besides several other sociable groupings. Magula was also a staunch member of the Anglican Church. Mosojane said the 88-year-old Magula played a significant role in molding her life describing the late as a purpose-driven person who always told her about the purpose of life.
She described the late as an artistic person and a mentor to many people who today have a lot to show in their lives.
The deceased had a way of consoling people by telling them that anything that happens to one, was destined to be. One of her favourite books from the Bible was Jeremiah 1:1 “…Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; before you were born I sanctioned; I ordained you a prophet to the nations”.
She was fond of telling people around her that although they may encounter difficulties, they will not endure them forever. In the words of Mosojane, acting was just in Magula’s nature as she was a talented artist.
“She performed everyday as an artist and her artistic mind would see beyond the now as artists have a way of speaking their own English language closing other people out,” she said.
The late Magula was involved in the YWCA management and board. Mosojane emphasised that true to her character, Magula was not dead but resting wherever she is.
A representative of the Masincwabane Burial Society told the mourners that it was the late Magula who came up with the notion of a burial society so that they could get decent send-offs when the time came.
She said the deceased was a treasurer of the burial society and she executed that role with aplomb. Through the burial society, the speaker thanked Magula for touching the lives of many people.
One of Magula’s former students said the deceased had moulded a lot of people through teaching them at school and outside classes. She credited Magula for assisting several South African refugees who passed through Botswana at her bases in Francistown and Maun. In Francistown, her base was at Area W location. Speaking at the funeral of her aunt as a family representative, Mmegi Investment Holdings (MIH) group managing director, Titus Mbuya thanked the pre-independence government and the current one for welcoming his aunt.
Magula came to Botswana in 1959 when her native, South Africa introduced the Bantustan Education. She had taught at various schools in South Africa before coming to Botswana.
Mbuya thanked the government because it never objected to her (Magula’s) coming and remaining in Botswana and she was subsequently absorbed into the country’s education system, and the rest is history.
He also thanked all those who played a positive role in the life of his aunt, including her neighbours, Francistowners and the city leadership. He was particularly elated at the caring nature and the love that a lot of Batswana exhibited towards his Xhosa aunt.
He also thanked the multitudes that had come to pay their last respects to Magula.
For the only surviving son, Monde Magula (out of the four children that Magula had) Mbuya crowned him the father of the house and encouraged him to take full responsibility.
“Responsibility rests with you and anything that happens here, it’s squarely placed upon you. There is my mother, any issues that crop up here and you cannot handle them please go to Molepolole and seek counsel.” As for the grand-daughter, Lynda, she was crowned the mother of all the children of the house and that it was her responsibility to care for all.
Mbuya acknowledged that they have learnt a lot from his aunt through her efforts as an educationist, a neighbour and friend to a lot of residents.
Magula was well behaved and Mbuya encouraged grand children and great grand children to emulate the late and avoid at all costs soiling her good name.
“She might be gone but she has left an everlasting legacy,” concluded Mbuya as he celebrated the life of Magula. Lala ngoxolo mama!