ALI MPHAKI
THE death of grandmother Sinah Malala Makgatho represents the end of an era for the Makgatho family in Diepkloof Zone Six.
Makgatho, 88, was the eldest surviving member of the Makgatho family. Her four children passed away over the past 10 years and she is survived by her 13 grandchildren and 23 great-grandchildren.
A quiet woman, who for the better part of her life worked as a domestic, Makgatho was born and grew up in Alexandra, until married life saw her relocate to Diepkloof Zone 6 in the late 1950s.
This is where, at house number 8 402, she lived with her late husband and they were blessed with four children.
Life as a domestic worker was not a bed of roses. Makgatho had to spend most weekdays at work, away from her children. But it felt like “Christmas” each time she returned home on Friday evenings to be with her family.
God-fearing and a staunch member of the Immanuel Lutheran Church, Makgatho instilled a sense of discipline and hard work in her children.
Her grandchildren say she had a simple motto in life and one of her favourite sayings was “you reap what you sow”, quoting from the Bible.
As the family slowly come to terms with talking about Makgatho in the past tense, it is her simple deeds that they reminisce about.
“She was not someone prone to raise her voice unnecessarily. You could say she was a diplomat, as she was able to make her point succinctly after having considered all the sides.
“We are all going to miss her wisdom,” lamented one of her granddaughters, Eva Makgatho.
But more than anything else, Granny Makgatho was a woman of order.
Perhaps because of her domestic worker experience she always insisted on her children cleaning up their mess and making sure their home was spotlessly clean.
“If you mess up, clean up,” she would say.
Makgatho, apart from having the gift of the gab, had a wicked sense of humour. She would regale her grandchildren with stories of her life as a domestic worker, which would leave them in stitches.
The ever-busy Makgatho never had idle time. Even in her twilight years, she would insist on cleaning her own house and doing her own washing.
And when she was supposed to sit and relax, Makgatho would be busy knitting a jersey or a hat for her grandchildren.
Makgatho died on Tuesday, at the Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital, where she was admitted after a short illness.
Her funeral service is set to be held at the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Diepkloof Zone 6 at 7.30am tomorrow. The cortege will proceed to the Alexandra Cemetery at 9am.
l BISHOP Johannes Ramokweba Monoto, 58, of the Youth St Patrick Apostolic Church, was more than a fiery Bible-punching preacher.
He was blessed with a brilliant tenor voice and those who knew him called him a jack of all trades because he was as good with his hands as he was with his vocal chords.
Born in Ventersdorp on October 20, 1953, Monoto moved to Joburg in the early 1970s and landed his first job at the Kliptown hardware shop. This is where Monoto learnt the art of being a salesman, sharpening his verbal skills and honing his people skills.
Monoto had a stroke in March and had not been well since. He died on Sunday afternoon.
Described as an iron hand in a velvet glove, Monoto was very strict when it came to church matters, but always understanding when at home, according to his widow Rahab. The couple married in 1980 and they had four children, although one died a few years ago.
Monoto is due to be buried tomorrow, after a service at his home, 1 660 Weilers Farm, at 10am. The cortege leaves for the Avalon Cemetery at 12.30pm.