OUDTSHOORN NEWS - To a every small community, the passing of one of their own, is a touching moment, a moment of grief that often brings them together. From the time of his or her passing, there is a cloud of somberness, a moment of grief that hangs over that community.

So said Makhaya Manie after the passing of a well-known Bongolethu resident, Goduka 'Ta Mthombe' Mthombeni.

Mthombeni (65) died in his sleep in his home in Paarl where he lived the last few years. Manie described Mthombeni as a beloved community leader.

"He came from a rare breed of the first generation who bravely raised their voices in highlighting the plight of the people of Bongolethu. He is one of the sons and daughters of Bongolethu who, in a disciplined manner, told the world that somewhere in the Little Karoo town of Oudtshoorn, there were Africans who lived in the small township called Bongolethu that too needed to be provided with resources to make a living. 

"This generation of young, passionate and exuberant activists wanted nothing but a place in the sun for the people of this township."

Together with his peers, they led the first emergence of an organisation called BHOYO (Bongolethu Youth Organisation), the organisation which was to spearhead the formation of various other community structures that included the Bongolethu Civic Organisation that he was an integral part of.

"Bra Mthombe was a man of few words, but never doubt his sense of humour, his warm interaction with people. He was a man whose demeanour was a gesture of reassurance. He worked for almost 20 years at the local Oudtshoorn Municipality where his municipal colleagues entrusted him as their Samwu shop steward. 

"He left the service of the Oudtshoorn Municipality in 2017 to build his business. He was an inspiration to us. He was full of faith, courage, and strength."

Mthombeni will be laid to rest at his home township of Bongolethu on 19 March.

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