Agri MEC tributes: Joy to all who met her
"She always fought for things to be done and was relentless"
POLOKWANE – “My mother had no time for tears or weakness. She had tough love but her forgiving heart was one of her strengths.”
This is how Kgontse Matshoge will remember her mother, the late MEC for Agriculture, Joy Matshoge.
Matshoge was killed in a car accident on the N1 south between Mokopane and Mookgophong on Saturday.
A memorial service was held for her at the Jack Botes Hall yesterday (Wednesday), where speakers included the Deputy Minister for Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Bheki Cele, Premier Stanley Mathabatha, MEC for Health, Dr Phophi Ramathuba and the Modimolle mayor, Meisie Lekalakala.
Matshoge’s daughter gave a heartfelt speech about how she will remember her mother.
“She was the person she was meant to be. Our mother was our Joy and it is nice to sit here and hear all the testimonies of the souls she has touched. I will miss her every day of my life and will never get used to not hearing her voice.”
Her counterparts remember Joy
Lekalakala said Matshoge had respect for people and a passion for what she did.
She always fought for things to be done and was relentless. Death has robbed us of a treasure and all we can do is accept it and move on.
ANC Women’s League Secretary-General, Meokgo Matuba, where Matshoge served as chairperson, described her as an outstanding leader with selfless servant qualities.
“Matshoge was a seasoned member of the Limpopo Legislature who served in numerous portfolios, and her death has created a void in Premier Stan Mathabatha’s cabinet, as well as various ANC structures that she served in,” Phuti Lekganyane, Communications Manager of the ANC Party Caucus, said.
Ted Muhajir Anglo Platinum Head of Social Performance, said he knew the MEC through work, but also in a personal capacity. “She was the type of person you could rely on, no matter what. She believed in being on time and was always well prepared.”
Spokesperson for the Premier, Kenneth Mathivah, knew the MEC for a decade, and says her name, Joy, describes who she was.
“I never knew her to be a woman who was not full of joy and she spread it to everyone she met. She had a beautiful voice and was never shy to use it when we were at an event and needed someone to lead us in song,” he said.
Joy to the community
In her capacity as MEC, Matshoge had worked with various development organisations across the province. One such organisation is the Botlokwa Youth Community Development.
Moloko Mofumadi of Botlokwa Youth Community Development, said Matshoge met with the young people from the organisation who wanted to make their mark in agriculture.
“She was the best person for the job she was given. She encouraged young people who wanted to make something of their lives. We had build a relationship and she stood by us like we were her own. We have all lost a wonder of a person, a true diamond, and we will miss her very much,” said Mofumadi.
Another memorial service will be held in Matshoge’s honour at the Ephraim Mogale Stadium today (Thursday) in Modimolle at 13:00.
