THE African National Congress (ANC) is overcome with a deep sense of sadness on the sudden passing on of Mama Jumartha Milase Majola. Mama Majola is the mother to former Cricket South Africa CEO, Mr Gerald Majola.
Mama Majola passed on Friday, 16th July 2021 at the age of 89 after a fulfilling life as a people’s servant coupled with her unwavering commitment and volunteer to the people of Gqeberha. MaMajola epitomized the struggles of the poor, the women and the disenfranchised.
Mrs Milase Jumartha Majola (nee Moyake) originated from the Qadi clan. She was born in Grahamstown on the 15 December, 1932, to parents Grace and Wallace Moyake. Her parents relocated to Port Elizabeth in search for better opportunities. She was given the name Milase by her father., according to their cultural tradition the father had the right to name the first born, be it a boy or girl child. The name Milase means that her parents envisioned that her unshakeable character and path in life would set a tone for others. She was the first born of four children. She had two sisters (Nontobeko, Thandeka), and a brother (Thabo). She had an older half-sister as her mother, Grace had a child , before she got married to Wallace. The child was affectionately called Milia. Her father Wallace embraced Milia and raised her as his own. Among the youth in New Brighton, she is affectionately called “ Mhe” a Sotho word for “Mother”. She received this title for the motherly role she played by guiding the many young people during her 23 years of service at the Ivan Peter Club .
Her academic life started when she attended Primary School in New Brighton and then went to St Matthews Mission School and College at Keiskammahoek in 1951 to further her studies. There she acquired her teaching diploma in Primary Education. Whilst training as a teacher she She established her first guiding club at St Matthews while training as a teacher. Her life was greatly influenced by the many Girl Guides who always set a high standard and an example which she maintained throughout her life. Mrs Majola returned to Port Elizabeth after qualifying as a Teacher and gaining the qualification as a Guider. She was a goal directed, pupose driven, humanitarian who had a clear sense of her existence. Her first experience in the professional life as a teacher started in 1951 and lasted until 1954. She held a position at Pendla Primary School, New Brighton Port Elizabeth where she taught Natural Science. She was married to Eric Majola, who was a teacher at Johnson Marwanqa Higher Primary and their marriage was blessed with 4 sons and 1 daughter, (Khaya, Thozamile, Nomonde, Mongezi and Vuyo). Eric was the only Black South African to represent South Africa in rugby and cricket at the time. She could not continue in a government teaching post after she got married in 1954 and had to resign. In 1970 she was appointed as an Assistant Recreational Officer for Bantu Administration (Ibhayi City Council). By taking the initiative to leave the teaching profession was a big step in her career but it enabled her to spread her wings to reach out to the broader community. She was instrumental in attending to the holistic needs of both the youth and the elderly in New Brighton. She was then placed at War memorial known as Hoza to serve the New Brighton community. Her appointment in the year 1970 to be in charge of Welfare and recreational activities marked a turning point in the history of New Brighton’s social ills.
In August 1994, the Executive Committee of the Union of Jewish Women in Port Elizabeth nominated her as the Woman of the Year for her devoted service to the welfare of the community of Port Elizabeth. Furthermore, in the year 1995, the Mayor of Port Elizabeth selected her as a winner of the Youth work category for the Mayor’s Citizen of the Year Award. This award acknowledged Mrs Majola’s contributions to youth development in the Nelson Mandela Bay. On the 27 October 1995, Mrs Majola was nominated for the Women’s Bureau / Pick ‘n Pay Raymond Ackerman Award for outstanding social responsibility from January 1995. In 1998, her contributions to empowering women were recognised by the Women’s Bureau of South Africa (Die Vroue van Suid Afrika, 1995).
In 2003, she also received the Eastern Cape’s highest honour award for being the best in developing the community of New Brighton, especially among the youth and the elderly. In 2004, the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality awarded her with a certificate of Patriotic Volunteerism in Nelson Mandela Bay. This was an acknowledgement for her commitment and dedication in community outreach programmes without receiving any form of remuneration.
In 2008, Mrs. Majola was nominated as a Provincial Winner in the Eastern Cape in a senior category as a Community Builder of the year. This award recognised her selflessness and committedness to uplifting her community as well as contributing to the nation building process. In November 2004, Mrs Majola received a Mayoral Award for Excellence for her outstanding contribution in Community Development. In 2008, the Eastern Cape Department of Sport, Recreation Arts and Culture awarded Mrs Majola with a Nelson Mandela District Achievers Award in recognition of her being a best volunteer in SPU activities. In 2012, she was also awarded a certificate as a Senior Citizen of the Year between the ages 70- 80 involved in recognition for the community outreach activities she was involved in. In 2014, she received an award again after being nominated as a Senior Citizen of the Year. The award recognised her development of the Old Age Clubs which she started in 1982 with the formation of the Hoza Golden Age Club. .
The Nelson Mandela University also awarded Mrs Majola with a University Council Prestige Award as a token of the Council’s esteem for rendering exceptional service which has made a significant impact in the community which supported the University’s social, educational mission.
In the community of New Brighton, Mrs Majola’s community driven initiatives were well supported with donations from people like local businessmen who include Mr Vantyi and Dan Qeqe and retail shops like Edgars at (Govan Mbeki Street) and Shoprite. The Congregational Church, known as (KwaZondeki) where Mrs Majola is a member in good standing established good working relations with her activities. As a result, she would always be provided with the Church Hall (Aa: Nobantu) to utilise for the Club’s concerts and competitions, and Valentine’s Day activities.
Mama Majola’s passing marks the departure of a generation of exceptional leaders, who represented all the best values of what is expected from leaders of society , leaders who never put their own interests before those of the people. There has been no finer role model for succeeding generations. Through Mama Majola the Nation had the privilege of witnessing hard work, discipline and leadership par excellence.
May the peace which comes from the memories of love shared, comfort the Majola family in the days ahead, and the comfort of God help the family during this difficult time.
We sends our heartfelt condolences to the Majola family, relatives and the broader community of Nelson Mandela Bay. And may the many citizens of our wonderful country walk in her footsteps and selflessly contribute towards progress in our society.
Lala ngoxolo Mama Majola , ugqatso ulufezile!
Issued by :
ANC Eastern Cape Provincial Communications
Enquiries :
Gift Ngqondi
Provincial Head of Communications
Mobile No :0848439706/0849519924
