Hundreds of people gathered at Thengwe Tribal Council last Friday to pay tribute to the late Dr Thidziambi Gladys Nethengwe. The well-respected academic passed away last Tuesday (11th).
Dr Nethengwe's memorial service was attended by people from different walks of life, including ANC members, ANC Women's League members, government officials, different royal family members, members of the business fraternity and many more.
According to her husband, Thovhele Vho-Vudzitshena Nethengwe, Dr Nethengwe, who was born on April 10, 1949, passed away on October 11, a day after being admitted to a private hospital in Gauteng. Although Dr Nethengwe was due for a medical check-up, Thovhele Nethengwe said that he had never thought his wife would depart this world, because she had looked healthy. The couple had been married for 50 years.
"During the time of Covid-19, my wife was admitted to a private hospital for more than a month where she received treatment from January until March, during which time her condition was critical. During that time, I also tested positive for Covid-19, but I only isolated myself at the royal house for 14 days while treating myself with traditional medicines," he said.
"I saw my wife lying helplessly in the hospital bed without saying anything except staring at us for a few minutes before passing away. Although it was and still is painful, I hope that my wife is at peace wherever she is," said Thovhele Nethengwe at the memorial service.
Dr Nethengwe, a member of the Netshandama royal family, was a daughter of the late Mbulaheni Julius Netshandama and Agnes Tshamano Ravhuanzwo Netshandama,
She had five children, but three of them, Colbert and Robert (sons) and daughter Vuledzani had already passed away. She started working as an educator on January 18, 1972, before she was appointed as principal at Lukau Primary at Lukau village in 1976, a position she occupied for nine years.
From 1992 until 2008, she worked as principal at Tshidongololwe Primary School, not far from the Thengwe Royal House where she was staying.
She was also an Associate Professor, co-ordinating indigenous knowledge, among other things, at the University of Pretoria, the University of America (Horton) and the KARA Heritage Institute.
She held an honours degree in African languages, as well as a masters and PhD in cognitive social and philosophical humanities from the University of Limpopo. She was a member of the Limpopo Legislature from 2004 until 2009.
She founded the Vudzitshena Royal Women's Forum, which saw her develop a number of women around the Thengwe area, under the jurisdiction of her husband. She was also chairperson of the Vhembe Limpopo Royal Women's Forum.
Apart from her husband, children and grandchildren, she is survived by 10 great-grandchildren.
Her funeral service was held at the same venue, the Thengwe Tribal office, on Saturday, 15 October.