Members of Khayelitsha Early-Childhood Development (ECD) Forum gathered at the Phaphamani Community Hall in Harare on Tuesday 26 November for a memorial service for ECD doyenne Zoleka Matshepo Ramothokang (64).
She died after a short illness in hospital on Saturday 15 November, and is expected to be buried on her ancestral land in Mt Fletcher, Eastern Cape on Saturday the 29th.
Khayelitsha ECD Forum public relations officer Thobeka Rhatya described Ramothokang as a woman of integrity, and her death was not a loss only to her family, but the community at large.
“Today we are celebrating the life of Zoleka,” she told the gathering. “She worked with us in the forum for a long time. She loved children and her ECD centre was among the best in the area.”
Ramothokang was also a warm-hearted person dedicated to her work and loved by many, Siyaqhubeka Area Forum deputy chair Manjabulo Dlamini of Ward 96 pointed out, and many were distraught by her death.
“We feel bad about her death. We were hoping she would recover, but God decided otherwise. We worked so closely together in the area forum. She was a nice person who smiled all the time.” Dlamini vowed the area forum would continue working for the betterment of the community.
Also addressing the gathering was the deceased’s daughter Nthabeleng Ramothonkong, who said the family was heartened to see so many people united in enshrining their matriarch’s memory. Now, she said, for the family there was a void that almost cannot be filled.
“My mother was a cool person, but strict at the same time. She would reprimand you if you were doing the wrong thing. She loved people. Always at home there would be people coming, and others going out. They were all visiting her.” Nthabeleng expressed gratitude to all, including church members, who supported the family at this time of loss.
