Polokwane - The mother of the late former ANC Youth League president Peter Mokaba has died. She was 76.
Priscilla Mokaba died on Sunday night at her daughter Mapula’s home in Polokwane.
Well known as MaMokaba, the ANC veteran died of lung cancer, according to Mapula.
She had spent more than a week in hospital and was discharged on Saturday. A day later, she succumbed to the disease.
Yesterday, Mapula said President Jacob Zuma had phoned the family to send a message of condolence.
“He had wanted to visit her in hospital. Unfortunately, it was during the mourning period for Nelson Mandela,” Mapula said.
MaMokaba founded soccer teams for elderly women and for girls in Mankweng, east of Polokwane.
“She (also) had a project through which she taught people beadwork,” Mapula said. She added that MaMokaba ran a vegetable project in the neighbouring Mamotintane village.
“One thing about my mother is that she loved people,” Mapula said.
In the 1980s, MaMokaba’s political activities landed her in prison together with many other anti-apartheid activists.
Zuma visited MaMokaba’s home in September and paid tribute to her son at his grave.
The ANC Women’s League in Limpopo on Monday described Mamokaba’s death as a loss.
Lehlogonolo Masoga, the chairman of the ANC’s Peter Mokaba region, which includes Polokwane, also paid tribute to her.
“MaMokaba was a distinguished activist who stood firm against the apartheid regime,” he said.
The Star