South Africa’s minister of agriculture, land reform and rural development, Thoko Didiza is mourning the death of her mother, Assiena Ntombenhle Msane.
Msane died last weekend, the spokesperson for the agricultural department, Reggie Ngcobo told Food For Mzansi. She died of natural causes.
Born in Hamasford in Mpumalanga, Msane was brought up in a family of avid farmers. Both her parents worked their land passionately. However, Msane had other aspirations, opting for a career in education instead.
“Gogo (as she was called) was a passionate small-scale farmer and the minister’s love for agriculture came from Gogo. Farming runs in the family,” Ngcobo explained.
Msane was married to Vusimuzi Msane and their union gave birth to three children, of whom Didiza was the youngest.
Didiza’s mother will be laid to rest on Saturday, 24 September. A home service at Grootfontein Country Estate is scheduled to take place in Pretoria East. This will then be followed by a church service at the Doxa Deo Christian Church in Pretoria.
‘We never know when’
During the recent mass funeral of seven people who were murdered during a farm attack in Kestell in the Free State, Didiza spoke extensively about the pain that death causes families.
“As much as all of us know that one day we will go and meet our creator, we never know when, nor do we know how. Many of us seated here had hopes, dreams, and plans of what we were going to do tomorrow with [the victims],” Didiza said.
“It is because of [us] not [fully] understanding your pain that we ask the God of grace, mercy and love to give you strength as you walk this journey; a journey you have never walked before.”
Heartfelt condolences were extended to the Didiza family, friends and extended family members of Msane, with supporters wishing that her loved ones may find strength and peace during this difficult time.
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