Langa community members are expected to gather at Langa High School Hall today for a memorial service for Siyabulela Nojekwa, former secretary of the Embo Initiation Forum in Langa. The service will start at 17:30.
Funeral arrangements confirmed for 15 April
Nojekwa died on Saturday 4 April in hospital after a short illness. His funeral service is scheduled to take place on Wednesday 15 April at the Methodist church in Langa.
He will be buried at Maitland Cemetery. Embo chairperson Mandla Mlambo said Nojekwa’s death was a significant loss, not only to his family but also to the broader community. He described him as a role model to many.
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“He was a people’s person. He was always sharing jokes. We learnt a lot from him as an organisation. He dedicated his life to serving the community.”
Mlambo added that Nojekwa’s death came as a shock, many had expected him to recover. “We knew he was ill. Last year he was in hospital for almost a month and recovered. We believed he would overcome this as well because of his strength of character. But God decided otherwise.”
Community remembers Siyabulela Nojekwa’s contribution
Mlambo said Nojekwa had been actively involved in the organisation since 2019.
“In 2019 he served on the education subcommittee within our forum. In 2022 he became the treasurer, and in mid last year he was elected secretary, a position he held until his passing.”
Ward 51 councillor praises Nojekwa’s leadership and legacy
Ward 51 councillor Lwazi Pakade echoed Mlambo’s sentiments, describing Nojekwa’s death as a great loss to the community.
He praised him as a committed and dedicated leader.
“Nojekwa embodied the type of leadership needed to move this community forward. He was a man of integrity and will be remembered as one of the leaders who preserved and upheld Xhosa culture in Langa through his role in the Embo Initiation Forum.”
