Fearless activist mourned

Women’s activist groups in Mtwalume have suffered a huge loss after one of their strongest ‘soldiers’, Hlengiwe Gambushe died in hospital recently.

She had been admitted to the health facility because of a severe headache.

The shocking news of Gambushe’s death went viral on social media.

She was described by her community and fellow activists as a fierce protector who worked tirelessly, to ensure that women and children lived freely.

She also played an integral role in the arrest of the Mtwalume serial killer who murdered several women and dumped their bodies in sugarcane fields between 2020 and 2022.

Gambushe led a march against the killings and was arrested.

Women of Mtwalume chairperson, Nombuso Sibisi said her death is a great loss for the community.

“I met her on a Facebook group, Consolidators of Mtwalume in June 2020. At the time I had posted about women being murdered in our area and pleaded for the community to stand together and take action in unity.

“She was the first to support my plea and we both agreed that as women we should get to the bottom of the matter,” said Sibisi
She said after creating a WhatsApp group, ‘Women of Mtwalume’ they organised a community march after more bodies were discovered. Shortly thereafter Gambushe was arrested for wanting to know the truth.

Sibisi said after Gambushe’s release they continued working together but formed their own entities as activists in different areas.

“We both wanted our own organisations, however we worked together too.
“With her death, the community will not be the same and I don’t think there will ever be anyone like her. She was passionate about helping others,” Sibisi concluded.

Speaking on behalf of the Buyi Khumalo Foundation which focuses on addressing psycho social ills in rural and township areas through academic and career development initiatives, programme manager, Bongeka Ngcobo said Gambushe joined the foundation during the Covid-19 lockdown period after a number of femicide incidents in Mtwalume

“She was a volunteer who worked tirelessly at the foundation. A true activist, who took advocacy work to greater heights in the Ugu District and even provincially.

“Her work was remarkable and we will miss her fighting spirit, her fight for humanity and human rights in the TB and HIV space. She was a generous person, always welcoming and she stood by her truth. We lost a heroine and a fellow colleague, someone who is irreplaceable as the foundation managed to change so many lives through her fieldwork interventions. We will miss her laughter the most, her love and warmth,” said Ngcobo

The mother of two is survived by her children, mother and two sisters.

Her sister, Mary Gambushe said Hlengiwe was hardworking and dedicated at home as much as she was in the community.

“Whenever the family needed her, she immediately availed herself and no one will ever replace her.”

Women from the community will join the family this Friday (13th) to fetch Gambushe’s body from the mortuary to her home, to honour her and show their solidarity.

Her funeral will be held at Mpisane Sports Grounds in Mtwalume this Saturday (14th).

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