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THE mother of Cde Sikhanyisiwe Mpofu, Mrs Sarah Mnkandla, was buried on Monday at Hope Fountain Mission.
Cde Mpofu is a Member of the National House of Assembly and wife to the Minister of Transport and Infrastructural Development, Dr Obert Mpofu.
Mrs Mnkandla died on Thursday afternoon after struggling with hypertension and diabetes for a long time. She was 92.
Addressing mourners during a church service held at the United Congregational Church of Southern Africa (UCCSA) in Mahatshula yesterday, Dr Mpofu described his mother-in-law as a very kind woman.
“My parents and my father-in-law passed away and my mother-in-law was the only surviving parent in the family. I would like to thank the church, colleagues and residents for coming and showing love and respect for our mother.
“If you do not have respect for your elders you will not live long. Even during the war those who did not listen to the commanders were punished or killed. It is important to be obedient,” said Dr Mpofu.
He added: “We have suffered a loss as her sons-in-law and the entire family. She was a kind woman who always smiled and gave good advice to her children.”
Senior Zanu-PF and Government officials from different parts of the country attended the burial.
Mrs Mnkandla was born and bred in Nkayi and became a teacher at Zinyangeni.
She left the teaching profession after she got married in 1942 and moved to Hope Fountain before she later moved to Umguza District.
She is survived by eight children, 40 grandchildren and 24 great grandchildren.
Bongani Ndlovu