{"id":50605,"date":"2021-11-25T10:49:41","date_gmt":"2021-11-25T08:49:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/mthathaexpress\/honour-for-late-aunt-laura-20211123\/"},"modified":"2025-03-20T20:33:24","modified_gmt":"2025-03-20T18:33:24","slug":"honour-for-late-aunt-laura-20211123","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/mthathaexpress\/honour-for-late-aunt-laura-20211123\/","title":{"rendered":"Honour for late \u2018Aunt Laura\u2019"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

President Cyril Ramaphosa has bestowed on the late, well-known philanthropist, community development champion, nurse, and businesswoman, Laura Brittomat Gugulethu Mpahlwa, affectionately known as Aunt Laura, the Order of Luthuli in Silver, for her contribution to the liberation movement, black business development and the nursing profession.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Aunt Laura was posthumously honoured during the bestowing of 2021 national orders by Ramaphosa at the Sefako Makgatho Presidential Guest House in Pretoria, on November 18.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The national orders are the highest awards that South Africa bestows. They recognise the contributions made by individuals towards building a non-racial, non-sexist, democratic, and prosperous South Africa, as envisaged in our constitution.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Aunt Laura died in June 2019, aged 90, and was honoured with an official provincial funeral. Born on March 31, 1929, Aunt Laura spent the first six years of her life in a backroom in Doornfontein, where her grandparents were employed by a Jewish family, as gardener and domestic worker.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In pursuit of her lifelong dream of becoming a nurse, Aunt Laura started her nursing career as a trainee nurse at the Pretoria HF Verwoerd Hospital. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

She moved to Mthatha in the early 1950s, where she made a name for herself in the broader former Transkei community as a healthcare giver, a pioneer in black business and a community builder.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
\"Aunt\"

<\/p>\n

Aunt Laura\u2019s son, Luyanda Mpahlwa, accepted the National Order posthumously bestowed upon her by President Cyril Ramaphosa. <\/div>\n
<\/span>Photo:PRESIDENCY<\/span> <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

She was instrumental in raising funds for the establishment of Sibabalwe Training Centre for the Disabled People in Northcrest, Mthatha, a project borne out of Sir Henry Elliot Hospital in Mthatha, where she had worked as a young nurse in 1953.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Aunt Laura further championed the establishment of two institutions for the street children \u2013 Eluxolweni School and Siyakhana Programme. Both these institutions were aimed at providing shelter to street kids where they would be assisted with attending school and receiving food supplies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In business development, Aunt Laura assisted in sourcing land and funding for the establishment of various schools at which she would play a key role as member of the school governing body.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She was instrumental in the formation of Umtata International School (UIS), which was the first black privately-owned English medium school in Mthatha and proudly attended by her own grandchildren.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She also established Ezra Sigwela Junior Secondary School in Ngangelizwe, which was built for the children of an informal settlement called eTipini.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Between 1975 and 1990, Aunt Laura ran the flagship family business in Mthatha with her late husband, Maxwell, which she had aptly named Aunt Laura\u2019s Fashion Boutique.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Her contribution in the healthcare sector earned her an Honorary Doctorate in Primary Healthcare from the then University of Transkei in 2000, in recognition of her selflessness and dedication to the upliftment of communities over the 10-year period she was involved with the University and Community Healthcare Partnership Programme.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

President Cyril Ramaphosa has bestowed on the late, well-known philanthropist, community development champion, nurse, and businesswoman, Laura Brittomat Gugulethu Mpahlwa, affectionately known as Aunt Laura, the Order of Luthuli in Silver, for her co<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":20,"featured_media":50610,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_yoast_wpseo_linkdex":"","_yoast_wpseo_content_score":"","_yoast_wpseo_inclusive_language_score":"","_yoast_wpseo_is_cornerstone":"","_yoast_wpseo_canonical":"","_yoast_wpseo_opengraph-title":"","_yoast_wpseo_opengraph-description":"","_yoast_wpseo_opengraph-image":"","_yoast_wpseo_opengraph-image-id":"","_yoast_wpseo_twitter-title":"","_yoast_wpseo_twitter-description":"","_yoast_wpseo_twitter-image":"","_yoast_wpseo_twitter-image-id":"","newspack_ads_suppress_ads":false,"newspack_sponsor_sponsorship_scope":"","newspack_sponsor_native_byline_display":"inherit","newspack_sponsor_native_category_display":"inherit","newspack_sponsor_underwriter_style":"inherit","newspack_sponsor_underwriter_placement":"inherit","_crsspst_to_novanewscoza":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozabloemnewsexpress":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozacityvision":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozadistrictmailhelderberg":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozaeikestadnuus":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozahermanustimes":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozakomani-karoo":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozakougaexpress":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozanoordkaapbulletin":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozapaarlpost":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozapeexpress":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozapeoplespost":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozaswartlandgazette":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozatygerburger":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozaudexpress":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozavistanews":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozavrystaatkroon":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozaweskusnuus":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozaweslander":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozaworcesterstandard":false,"_EventAllDay":"","_EventTimezone":"","_EventStartDate":"","_EventEndDate":"","_EventStartDateUTC":"","_EventEndDateUTC":"","_EventShowMap":"","_EventShowMapLink":"","_EventURL":"","_EventCost":"","_EventCostDescription":"","_EventCurrencySymbol":"","_EventCurrencyCode":"","_EventCurrencyPosition":"","_EventDateTimeSeparator":"","_EventTimeRangeSeparator":"","_EventOrganizerID":"","_EventVenueID":"","_OrganizerEmail":"","_OrganizerPhone":"","_OrganizerWebsite":"","_VenueAddress":"","_VenueCity":"","_VenueCountry":"","_VenueProvince":"","_VenueState":"","_VenueZip":"","_VenuePhone":"","_VenueURL":"","_VenueStateProvince":"","_VenueLat":"","_VenueLng":"","_VenueShowMap":"","_VenueShowMapLink":"","_application":"","_batch_id":"","_company_name":"","_company_tagline":"","_company_twitter":"","_company_video":"","_company_website":"","_custom_id":"ca85e6f5-7ede-4a12-a7d3-611c387178fe","_EventDuration":"","_EventOrigin":"","_EventTimezoneAbbr":"","_featured":"","_filled":"","_job_expires":"","_job_location":"","_media_credit":"","_media_credit_url":"","_menu_item_menu_item_parent":"","_menu_item_object":"","_menu_item_object_id":"","_menu_item_target":"","_menu_item_type":"","_menu_item_url":"","_menu_item_xfn":"","_navis_media_can_distribute":"","_navis_media_credit_org":"","_OrganizerOrigin":"","_provider":"","_pum_built_in":"","_pum_default_theme":"","_pum_form_conversion_count":"","_remote_id":"","_remote_name":"","_remote_position":"","_report_frequency":"","_report_reference_dates":"","_send_attempts":"","_site_id":"","_sitemap_exclude":"","_sitemap_frequency":"","_sitemap_priority":"","_source_url":"","_subscription_period":"","_subscription_period_interval":"","_subscription_price":"","_tec_slr_enabled":"","_tec_slr_layout":"","_template_type":"","_ticket_end_date":"","_ticket_start_date":"","_tribe_aggregator_allow_multiple_organizers":"","_tribe_aggregator_content_type":"","_tribe_aggregator_file":"","_tribe_aggregator_finalized":"","_tribe_aggregator_hash":"","_tribe_aggregator_import_id":"","_tribe_aggregator_import_name":"","_tribe_aggregator_interactive":"","_tribe_aggregator_origin":"","_tribe_aggregator_post_status":"","_tribe_aggregator_preview":"","_tribe_aggregator_source_name":"","_tribe_aggregator_type":"","_tribe_default_ticket_provider":"","_tribe_hide_attendees_list":"","_tribe_rsvp_for_event":"","_tribe_ticket_capacity":"","_tribe_ticket_header":"","_tribe_ticket_show_description":"","_tribe_ticket_show_not_going":"","_tribe_ticket_version":"","_type":"","_VenueOrigin":"","_wp_attachment_context":"","_wp_attachment_image_alt":"","_wp_font_face_file":"","_wp_old_date":"","_yoast_wpseo_estimated-reading-time-minutes":"","_yoast_wpseo_focuskeywords":"","_yoast_wpseo_focuskw_text_input":"","_yoast_wpseo_keywordsynonyms":"","_yoast_wpseo_primary_block-catalog":"","_yoast_wpseo_primary_category":"","_yoast_wpseo_primary_job_listing_type":"","_yoast_wpseo_primary_nova_retailer":"","_yoast_wpseo_primary_publication":"","_yoast_wpseo_primary_tribe_events_cat":"","_yoast_wpseo_videositemap-duration":"","_yoast_wpseo_videositemap-rating":"","_menu_item_classes":[],"_tribe_modified_fields":[],"_wp_attachment_backup_sizes":[],"_wp_suggested_privacy_policy_content":[],"_yoast_post_redirect_info":[],"_yoast_wpseo_video_meta":[],"activation_date":"","archive_insertion_is_repeating":"","archive_insertion_posts_count":"","article_feature_media":"","article_feature_type":"","article_main_image_caption":"","article_media_icon":"","article_template":"","author_byline":"Luvo Cakata","background_color":"","block_editor":"","byline":"","cmplz_hide_cookiebanner":"","competition_end_date":"","contact_advertise_email":"","contact_advertise_phone":"","contact_editorial_email":"","contact_general_email":"","contact_general_phone":"","contact_office_hours":"","contact_physical_address":"","enabled":"","featured_image_custom_caption":"","featured_video_url":"","fields":"","font_body":"","font_header":"","frequency":"","headline":"","hide_border":"","icon":"","is_wp_suggestion":"","issuu_download_url":"","issuu_embed_url":"","language_version_url":"","large_border":"","name":"","nm_contact_name":"","nm_contact_number":"","nm_date_lost":"","no_overlay_background":"","node-url":"","obituary_born_date":"","obituary_died_date":"","obituary_memoriam_text":"","origin":"","overlay_color":"","overlay_opacity":"","overlay_size":"","placement":"","plural_label":"","post_author":"","post_id":"","post_language":"en","secret-key":"","sponsored_utm_campaign":"","sponsored_utm_content":"","sponsored_utm_medium":"","sponsored_utm_source":"","sponsored_utm_term":"","start_date":"","utm_suppression":"","video_embed_url":"","wp_pattern_sync_status":"","data_version":[],"enclosure":[],"pongrass_image":[],"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_newspack_byline_active":false,"_newspack_byline":"","newspack_content_restriction_is_exempt":false,"scaip_prevent_shortcode_addition":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"newspack_spnsrs_tax":[],"publication":[],"class_list":["post-50605","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news"],"yoast_head":"\nHonour for late \u2018Aunt Laura\u2019 | Mthatha Express<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/mthathaexpress\/honour-for-late-aunt-laura-20211123\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Honour for late \u2018Aunt Laura\u2019\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"President Cyril Ramaphosa has bestowed on the late, well-known philanthropist, community development champion, nurse, and businesswoman, Laura Brittomat Gugulethu Mpahlwa, affectionately known as Aunt Laura, the Order of Luthuli in Silver, for her co\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/mthathaexpress\/honour-for-late-aunt-laura-20211123\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Mthatha Express\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/MthathaExpress\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2021-11-25T08:49:41+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2025-03-20T18:33:24+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/mthathaexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/8320bba0494b4c80af2e394d06b7bb1b.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"879\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"907\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Luvo Cakata\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@EP_Media24\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@EP_Media24\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Mthatha Express\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"2 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/mthathaexpress\\\/honour-for-late-aunt-laura-20211123\\\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/mthathaexpress\\\/honour-for-late-aunt-laura-20211123\\\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Mthatha Express\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/mthathaexpress\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/7e2772c1748d510e0433368691b50bb1\"},\"headline\":\"Honour for late \u2018Aunt Laura\u2019\",\"datePublished\":\"2021-11-25T08:49:41+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-03-20T18:33:24+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/mthathaexpress\\\/honour-for-late-aunt-laura-20211123\\\/\"},\"wordCount\":471,\"commentCount\":0,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/mthathaexpress\\\/#organization\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/mthathaexpress\\\/honour-for-late-aunt-laura-20211123\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/mthathaexpress\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2025\\\/03\\\/8320bba0494b4c80af2e394d06b7bb1b.jpg\",\"articleSection\":[\"News\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-ZA\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"CommentAction\",\"name\":\"Comment\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/mthathaexpress\\\/honour-for-late-aunt-laura-20211123\\\/#respond\"]}],\"copyrightYear\":\"2021\",\"copyrightHolder\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/mthathaexpress\\\/#organization\"}},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/mthathaexpress\\\/honour-for-late-aunt-laura-20211123\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/mthathaexpress\\\/honour-for-late-aunt-laura-20211123\\\/\",\"name\":\"Honour for late \u2018Aunt Laura\u2019 | Mthatha Express\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/mthathaexpress\\\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/mthathaexpress\\\/honour-for-late-aunt-laura-20211123\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/mthathaexpress\\\/honour-for-late-aunt-laura-20211123\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/mthathaexpress\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2025\\\/03\\\/8320bba0494b4c80af2e394d06b7bb1b.jpg\",\"datePublished\":\"2021-11-25T08:49:41+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-03-20T18:33:24+00:00\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/mthathaexpress\\\/honour-for-late-aunt-laura-20211123\\\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-ZA\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/mthathaexpress\\\/honour-for-late-aunt-laura-20211123\\\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-ZA\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/mthathaexpress\\\/honour-for-late-aunt-laura-20211123\\\/#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/mthathaexpress\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2025\\\/03\\\/8320bba0494b4c80af2e394d06b7bb1b.jpg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/mthathaexpress\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2025\\\/03\\\/8320bba0494b4c80af2e394d06b7bb1b.jpg\",\"width\":879,\"height\":907,\"caption\":\"Laura Mpahlwa, was honoured with a national order (Order of Luthuli in Silver) by President Cyril Ramaphosa. Photo:SUPPLIED\"},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/mthathaexpress\\\/honour-for-late-aunt-laura-20211123\\\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/mthathaexpress\\\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"News\",\"item\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/mthathaexpress\\\/news\\\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":3,\"name\":\"Honour for late \u2018Aunt Laura\u2019\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/mthathaexpress\\\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/mthathaexpress\\\/\",\"name\":\"Mthatha Express\",\"description\":\"To Inform, Engage and Empower Local Communities\",\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/mthathaexpress\\\/#organization\"},\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/mthathaexpress\\\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-ZA\"},{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/mthathaexpress\\\/#organization\",\"name\":\"Mthatha Express\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/mthathaexpress\\\/\",\"logo\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-ZA\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/mthathaexpress\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/logo\\\/image\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/mthathaexpress\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2025\\\/03\\\/mthatha-express-site-icon.png\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/mthathaexpress\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2025\\\/03\\\/mthatha-express-site-icon.png\",\"width\":512,\"height\":512,\"caption\":\"Mthatha Express\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/mthathaexpress\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/logo\\\/image\\\/\"},\"sameAs\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/www.facebook.com\\\/MthathaExpress\\\/\",\"https:\\\/\\\/x.com\\\/EP_Media24\",\"https:\\\/\\\/www.instagram.com\\\/express_newspapers\\\/\",\"https:\\\/\\\/www.youtube.com\\\/@expressonline3000\"],\"description\":\"Mthatha Express has been the eyes, ears, and voice of Mthatha and surrounding towns and villages for almost a decade. Established with the goal of keeping our community informed, we have grown into one of the most trusted local news sources in the region, with 70,000 free copies delivered across the former Transkei area every week. It is also distributed once a month in East London.\",\"email\":\"mthathaexpress@novusmedia.co.za\",\"telephone\":\"+27472932973\",\"legalName\":\"Novus Media (Pty) Ltd\",\"foundingDate\":\"2025-01-01\",\"vatID\":\"4100318916\",\"taxID\":\"2000\\\/018234\\\/07\",\"numberOfEmployees\":{\"@type\":\"QuantitativeValue\",\"minValue\":\"51\",\"maxValue\":\"200\"}},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/mthathaexpress\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/7e2772c1748d510e0433368691b50bb1\",\"name\":\"Mthatha Express\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-ZA\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/16bf7f093f8719629b4d16068cd9ee79b087e706ae5cedc7dd95db655da066a3?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/16bf7f093f8719629b4d16068cd9ee79b087e706ae5cedc7dd95db655da066a3?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/16bf7f093f8719629b4d16068cd9ee79b087e706ae5cedc7dd95db655da066a3?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"caption\":\"Mthatha Express\"},\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/mthathaexpress\\\/author\\\/mthathaexpress\\\/\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO Premium plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"Honour for late \u2018Aunt Laura\u2019 | Mthatha Express","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/mthathaexpress\/honour-for-late-aunt-laura-20211123\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"Honour for late \u2018Aunt Laura\u2019","og_description":"President Cyril Ramaphosa has bestowed on the late, well-known philanthropist, community development champion, nurse, and businesswoman, Laura Brittomat Gugulethu Mpahlwa, affectionately known as Aunt Laura, the Order of Luthuli in Silver, for her co","og_url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/mthathaexpress\/honour-for-late-aunt-laura-20211123\/","og_site_name":"Mthatha Express","article_publisher":"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/MthathaExpress\/","article_published_time":"2021-11-25T08:49:41+00:00","article_modified_time":"2025-03-20T18:33:24+00:00","og_image":[{"width":879,"height":907,"url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/mthathaexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/8320bba0494b4c80af2e394d06b7bb1b.jpg","type":"image\/jpeg"}],"author":"Luvo Cakata","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_creator":"@EP_Media24","twitter_site":"@EP_Media24","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"Mthatha Express","Est. reading time":"2 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/mthathaexpress\/honour-for-late-aunt-laura-20211123\/#article","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/mthathaexpress\/honour-for-late-aunt-laura-20211123\/"},"author":{"name":"Mthatha Express","@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/mthathaexpress\/#\/schema\/person\/7e2772c1748d510e0433368691b50bb1"},"headline":"Honour for late \u2018Aunt Laura\u2019","datePublished":"2021-11-25T08:49:41+00:00","dateModified":"2025-03-20T18:33:24+00:00","mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/mthathaexpress\/honour-for-late-aunt-laura-20211123\/"},"wordCount":471,"commentCount":0,"publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/mthathaexpress\/#organization"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/mthathaexpress\/honour-for-late-aunt-laura-20211123\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/mthathaexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/8320bba0494b4c80af2e394d06b7bb1b.jpg","articleSection":["News"],"inLanguage":"en-ZA","potentialAction":[{"@type":"CommentAction","name":"Comment","target":["https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/mthathaexpress\/honour-for-late-aunt-laura-20211123\/#respond"]}],"copyrightYear":"2021","copyrightHolder":{"@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/mthathaexpress\/#organization"}},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/mthathaexpress\/honour-for-late-aunt-laura-20211123\/","url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/mthathaexpress\/honour-for-late-aunt-laura-20211123\/","name":"Honour for late \u2018Aunt Laura\u2019 | Mthatha Express","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/mthathaexpress\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/mthathaexpress\/honour-for-late-aunt-laura-20211123\/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/mthathaexpress\/honour-for-late-aunt-laura-20211123\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/mthathaexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/8320bba0494b4c80af2e394d06b7bb1b.jpg","datePublished":"2021-11-25T08:49:41+00:00","dateModified":"2025-03-20T18:33:24+00:00","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/mthathaexpress\/honour-for-late-aunt-laura-20211123\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-ZA","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/mthathaexpress\/honour-for-late-aunt-laura-20211123\/"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-ZA","@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/mthathaexpress\/honour-for-late-aunt-laura-20211123\/#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/mthathaexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/8320bba0494b4c80af2e394d06b7bb1b.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/mthathaexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/8320bba0494b4c80af2e394d06b7bb1b.jpg","width":879,"height":907,"caption":"Laura Mpahlwa, was honoured with a national order (Order of Luthuli in Silver) by President Cyril Ramaphosa. Photo:SUPPLIED"},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/mthathaexpress\/honour-for-late-aunt-laura-20211123\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/mthathaexpress\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"News","item":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/mthathaexpress\/news\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"Honour for late \u2018Aunt Laura\u2019"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/mthathaexpress\/#website","url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/mthathaexpress\/","name":"Mthatha Express","description":"To Inform, Engage and Empower Local Communities","publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/mthathaexpress\/#organization"},"potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/mthathaexpress\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-ZA"},{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/mthathaexpress\/#organization","name":"Mthatha Express","url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/mthathaexpress\/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-ZA","@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/mthathaexpress\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/mthathaexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/mthatha-express-site-icon.png","contentUrl":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/mthathaexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/mthatha-express-site-icon.png","width":512,"height":512,"caption":"Mthatha Express"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/mthathaexpress\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/"},"sameAs":["https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/MthathaExpress\/","https:\/\/x.com\/EP_Media24","https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/express_newspapers\/","https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/@expressonline3000"],"description":"Mthatha Express has been the eyes, ears, and voice of Mthatha and surrounding towns and villages for almost a decade. Established with the goal of keeping our community informed, we have grown into one of the most trusted local news sources in the region, with 70,000 free copies delivered across the former Transkei area every week. It is also distributed once a month in East London.","email":"mthathaexpress@novusmedia.co.za","telephone":"+27472932973","legalName":"Novus Media (Pty) Ltd","foundingDate":"2025-01-01","vatID":"4100318916","taxID":"2000\/018234\/07","numberOfEmployees":{"@type":"QuantitativeValue","minValue":"51","maxValue":"200"}},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/mthathaexpress\/#\/schema\/person\/7e2772c1748d510e0433368691b50bb1","name":"Mthatha Express","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-ZA","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/16bf7f093f8719629b4d16068cd9ee79b087e706ae5cedc7dd95db655da066a3?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/16bf7f093f8719629b4d16068cd9ee79b087e706ae5cedc7dd95db655da066a3?s=96&d=mm&r=g","contentUrl":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/16bf7f093f8719629b4d16068cd9ee79b087e706ae5cedc7dd95db655da066a3?s=96&d=mm&r=g","caption":"Mthatha Express"},"url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/mthathaexpress\/author\/mthathaexpress\/"}]}},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/mthathaexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/8320bba0494b4c80af2e394d06b7bb1b.jpg","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":47714,"url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/mthathaexpress\/president-urges-youth-to-be-united-20230314-2\/","url_meta":{"origin":50605,"position":0},"title":"President in Mthatha: urges youth to be united","author":"Mthatha Express","date":"17 March 2023","format":false,"excerpt":"The President of South Africa, Cyril Ramaphosa, urged young people to know that even though they speak many languages, and come from different places, they are all the children of one mother, Mother Africa.","rel":"","context":"In "News"","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/mthathaexpress\/news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/mthathaexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/e6443d56b7fa45b9bdfb692987697595.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/mthathaexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/e6443d56b7fa45b9bdfb692987697595.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/mthathaexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/e6443d56b7fa45b9bdfb692987697595.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/mthathaexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/e6443d56b7fa45b9bdfb692987697595.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/mthathaexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/e6443d56b7fa45b9bdfb692987697595.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":297110,"url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/mthathaexpress\/the-ultimate-objective-is-a-prosperous-south-africa-for-all-says-ramaphosa\/","url_meta":{"origin":50605,"position":1},"title":"The \u2018ultimate objective\u2019 is a prosperous South Africa for all, says Ramaphosa","author":"Lise Beyers","date":"4 June 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"President Ramaphosa defends his administration\u2019s record, emphasizing economic achievements and dismissing opposition calls for resignation amid legal challenges.","rel":"","context":"In "News"","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/mthathaexpress\/news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"President Cyril Ramaphosa addresses the National Assembly.","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/mthathaexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/cyril.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/mthathaexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/cyril.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/mthathaexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/cyril.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/mthathaexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/cyril.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/mthathaexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/cyril.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":64369,"url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/mthathaexpress\/south-africa-to-buy-gas-from-us-in-proposed-new-trade-deal\/","url_meta":{"origin":50605,"position":2},"title":"South Africa to buy gas from US in proposed new trade deal","author":"Novus Media","date":"27 May 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"South Africa said Monday it plans to buy liquefied natural gas from the United States in a proposed deal worth around $1 billion a year, after a tense televised encounter between the countries\u2019 presidents. In return for agreeing to buy the gas (LNG), South Africa would avoid paying duty on\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "News"","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/mthathaexpress\/news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/mthathaexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/cabinet-minister-Khumbudzo-Ntshavheni.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":297034,"url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/mthathaexpress\/government-reports-economic-recovery-and-madlanga-commission-progress-in-presidency-budget-speech\/","url_meta":{"origin":50605,"position":3},"title":"Government reports economic recovery and Madlanga Commission progress in Presidency budget speech","author":"Lise Beyers","date":"3 June 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"South Africa's economy is showing signs of recovery with improved credit ratings and record tourism numbers, President Cyril Ramaphosa told Parliament during the Presidency budget vote speech.","rel":"","context":"In "News"","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/mthathaexpress\/news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Cyril-Ramaphosa","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/mthathaexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/697792900_1435847548572277_1139213580678583122_n.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/mthathaexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/697792900_1435847548572277_1139213580678583122_n.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/mthathaexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/697792900_1435847548572277_1139213580678583122_n.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/mthathaexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/697792900_1435847548572277_1139213580678583122_n.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":296625,"url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/mthathaexpress\/ramaphosa-respects-court-judgement-eff-vows-to-fight-relentlessly\/","url_meta":{"origin":50605,"position":4},"title":"Ramaphosa \u2018respects\u2019 court judgement, EFF vows to fight relentlessly","author":"Amy L\u00e9-Semper","date":"8 May 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"President Cyril Ramaphosa says he respects the Constitutional Court\u2019s judgement and reaffirmed his commitment to the Constitution.","rel":"","context":"In "News"","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/mthathaexpress\/news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"President Cyril Ramaphosa. Photo: Ennio Leanza\/AFP","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/mthathaexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/AFP__20251029__82ED3RY__v1__MidRes__SwitzerlandSafricaPoliticsDiplomacy.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/mthathaexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/AFP__20251029__82ED3RY__v1__MidRes__SwitzerlandSafricaPoliticsDiplomacy.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/mthathaexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/AFP__20251029__82ED3RY__v1__MidRes__SwitzerlandSafricaPoliticsDiplomacy.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/mthathaexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/AFP__20251029__82ED3RY__v1__MidRes__SwitzerlandSafricaPoliticsDiplomacy.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/mthathaexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/AFP__20251029__82ED3RY__v1__MidRes__SwitzerlandSafricaPoliticsDiplomacy.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/mthathaexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/AFP__20251029__82ED3RY__v1__MidRes__SwitzerlandSafricaPoliticsDiplomacy.jpg?resize=1400%2C800&ssl=1 4x"},"classes":[]},{"id":47615,"url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/mthathaexpress\/watch-hope-reigns-following-ramaphosas-visit-to-flood-stricken-port-st-johns-20230329\/","url_meta":{"origin":50605,"position":5},"title":"WATCH | Hope reigns following Ramaphosa’s visit to flood-stricken Port St Johns","author":"Mthatha Express","date":"29 March 2023","format":false,"excerpt":"President Cyril Ramaphosa has vowed to return to Port St Johns after three months to assess progress made by government who committed to help the community after the recent floods.","rel":"","context":"In "News"","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/mthathaexpress\/news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/mthathaexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/47e03f7822b74a809b1c9c69fe1cec98.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/mthathaexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/47e03f7822b74a809b1c9c69fe1cec98.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/mthathaexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/47e03f7822b74a809b1c9c69fe1cec98.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/mthathaexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/47e03f7822b74a809b1c9c69fe1cec98.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]}],"distributor_meta":false,"distributor_terms":false,"distributor_media":false,"distributor_original_site_name":"Mthatha Express","distributor_original_site_url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/mthathaexpress","push-errors":false,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/mthathaexpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/50605","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/mthathaexpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/mthathaexpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/mthathaexpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/20"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/mthathaexpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=50605"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/mthathaexpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/50605\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/mthathaexpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/50610"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/mthathaexpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=50605"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/mthathaexpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=50605"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/mthathaexpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=50605"},{"taxonomy":"newspack_spnsrs_tax","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/mthathaexpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/newspack_spnsrs_tax?post=50605"},{"taxonomy":"publication","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/mthathaexpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/publication?post=50605"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}