Mboneni Yende remembered
In his efforts to make the country a better place, Mboneni was often involved in social movements as well as many acts of goodwill.
KwaThema – The Yende family and KwaThema community have suffered another blow following the death, last Wednesday night, of social justice activist Mboneni Yende, the brother of the slain Eskom employee Thembisile Yende.
Mboneni was an entrepreneur who soon became the voice of activism and social justice when he began a movement to seek justice for his sister in 2017.
Mboneni’s family confirmed that the activist died at Mulbarton Hospital after being ill for months.
Mboneni was nominated for Community Builder of the Year in the South African Men of the Year Awards in 2018.
During a memorial service held at KwaThema Community Hall on Wednesday afternoon, family and friends remembered him as a man who fought for justice and fairness for all.
Brian Sithole, a friend and colleague, says the community has lost a selfless person who was always ready to lend a helping hand to those in need.
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“Through his efforts to seek justice for Thembisile, he was approached by streams of people who sought to help as they too felt that they had been failed by the South African justice system.
“These were people whose loved ones were killed but their cases were thrown out of court.
“Through Mboneni’s efforts these cases are today back on the court roll.
“He never at any point complained about the added responsibility, but took it up to the point of being part of the team that started the Thembisile Lucia Yende Foundation,” he says.
Sithole says it was through the different foundations that he touched the hearts of many people and brought hope to those who were destitute and living in despair.
“It is as if he knew that his days on earth were limited,” he adds.
In his efforts to make the country a better place, Mboneni was often involved in social movements as well as many acts of goodwill.
“In 2019, he became the founder and chairperson of One Strong Voice Foundation,” he says.
Kgotso Powe, a representative from the ANC’s political office in KwaThema, described Mboneni as someone who urged the community of KwaThema to protect and respect women.
“In the past, men sat around on corners, blaming women for their killing and increased rate of femicides, but with Mboneni at the helm, men stood up and said ‘not in our name’.
“They marched to Springs Police Station to hand over a memorandum to the former minister of police Fikile Mbalula.
“Through his initiatives, we are seeing a decrease in the number of women who are killed or abused by their partners,” he adds.
Powe is encouraging men to take the baton from Mboneni and continue with the struggle to liberate and protect women.
