Community builder laid to rest
"She played so many roles in the community, such as helping needy people and uplifting the Tembisa community."
Thousands of Tembisa residents paid their last respects Tembisa’s community builder and businesswoman, Ms Elizabeth ‘Khandiwe’ Makopo.
Ms Makopo died on November 5. Her daughter, Ms Granny Makopo, said her mother was a progressive woman who did not allow racism, criticism or poverty to defeat her God-given purpose in life.
“She played so many roles in the community, such as helping needy people and uplifting the Tembisa community.
“My mother’s life impacted the nation as she touched lives throughout the country. She literally travelled to every province in South Africa, preaching the good news of Jesus Christ.
“She served as a district missionary and regional supervisor in the Church of God in Christ in South Africa,” said Granny.
Ms Makopo was also appointed as the church mother of the Tabernacle Church of God in Christ, providing nurturing and mentorship to young women and men alike.
She led a sewing circle, helping young people to be self reliant by teaching them to sew and make their own designer clothes and to start their businesses.
Ms Makopo led many other community service efforts, including the Old Age Ministry, feeding hundreds every week through the Lunch with Jesus soup kitchen, teaching adults life skills through Bible studies, conducting personal counselling and was a community leader through her family life group, and opened her home to anyone in the community who needed some motivational words.
In 2013, Ms Makopo was consecrated as the National Supervisor of Women of South Africa’s 1st jurisdiction.
She hosted an annual National Women’s Convention that empowered women across the country.
Ms Makopo’s life was not limited to the local and national, she was also an international figure.
She was a leader in South Africa’s first mission trip to Zimbabwe taking food, clothing and the Gospel to the needy.
She was an official delegate to the Auxiliaries In Ministry (AIM) Convention in Birmingham, Alabama, the Women’s Convention and Crusade in Louisville Kentucky and the Holy Convocation in St. Louis, Missouri.
In 2012, Ms Makopo was awarded the prestigious Seasoned Saint award, which honoured the top senior citizen of Church of God in Christ in 70 countries, among 13 million members.
By obtaining the award, she was greatly esteemed around the world.
She is survived by four children.
