The “mayor of Tafelsig”, a 72-year-old woman who ran seniors clubs, started non-profit organisations, organised soup kitchens and founded neighbourhood watches — Beatrice Leng — died on Sunday 26 April.
Beloved by generations, Leng, who was affectionately known as Auntie Beatie, will be remembered at a memorial service tonight, 29 April, at 19:00.
Legacy
Outspoken and active, Leng was well-known in Tafelsig for her activism and crime fighting.
Vernon Fortune, the Hyde Park Neighbourhood Watch Chair, called Leng a “pioneer, legend, founder — all the long names that you can give to these people that have been there around a hundred years, she is one of those people”.
According to Fortune, Leng founded the original neighbourhood watch in Tafelsig before it was split into smaller sectors.
“She was a member of the Tafelsig Neighbourhood Watch from the beginning,” he said.
Community mourns
As news of Leng’s passing spread over the weekend, condolences poured in over multiple channels, including social media, from far and wide.
Leng’s eldest daughter, Claudette Sauls, said the family was completely overwhelmed by the calls, visits and messages of support and she is floored by the impact her mother has had.
“The last time I was sitting with her in the lounge and I said, ‘Mama, please, this is not your concern anymore, please, you said you’d let it go. Let the younger people take over, concentrate on your health. Concentrate on getting better, please.’ But that was not my mother,” Sauls said.
Fighter
Leng had a heart condition and a pacemaker fitted. Her health had been declining for about two years, but she continued her community work despite her illness.
“Up until the end, my mom fought to stay alive. I would say that. She didn’t wanna let go,” Sauls said.
Leng died peacefully in hospital surrounded by her children and grandchildren.
‘A big tree has fallen’
Charmaine Adams (72), her fellow community worker who worked alongside Leng for 37 years, said Leng drew her into community work and trained many others.
Adams said Leng started the second Mothers Against Crime Neighbourhood Watch — made up only of women — and worked as a police reservist.
“From my side, a big tree, a strong tree, fell,” Adams said. “I just hope there’s people that’s gonna stand in that boots, but I won’t be able to.”
She added that even gangsters had respect for Leng, who wasn’t afraid to confront them.
Condolences
The Mitchells Plain United Residents Association (Mura) also sent their condolences to the family.
“Mura would like to express our heartfelt condolences and prayers to the Morris Leng family on the passing of the ‘mayor of Tafelsig’,” Mura secretary Michael Jacobs said in the statement.
Jacobs said Leng was a “dedicated servant and volunteer of the community”.
“She served a number of years as a victim support volunteer at Mitchells Plain police, was involved in local government as a ward committee member and also worked within the NGO sector to improve the lives of community members through her selfless actions, commitment and dedication,” Jacobs said.
To the family he said: “May you find peace and comfort in knowing that Beatrice Morris Leng has left a lasting impression on many.”
Leng is survived by her five children, three of whom she fostered and then adopted, nine grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
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