The late Johannes Nemaungani (83) of Tshikhwani was a true example of what community development is all about, and thus he will be remembered by all who had the privilege to know him in his lifetime.
Nemaungani, who had in his time been a councillor at the Johannesburg Metropolitan Municipality for 20 years and a staunch member of the Zoutpansberg Development Forum (ZDCF), died at the Louis Trichardt Memorial Hospital on Sunday, 24 July, following a long illness.
The former Louis Trichardt mayor and now chairperson of the ZDCF, Mr Patrick Sikhutshi, who worked closely with him in the ANC, described Nemaungani's death as a terrible blow to the community. "We have lost a real father, confidante and inspirational leader among both the young and old in our community. He was a real son of the soil who would sacrifice everything for his job," said Sikhutshi.
Sikhutshi said that to the community of Tshikhwani and the surrounding areas, Nemaungani had been a father, mentor, an icon of hope, a role model and a true leader. He described him as a visionary, a manager, an organiser and a trustworthy human being whose desire to serve his community motivated him to work hard every day of his life.
Tributes poured in from relatives and friends, members of the ANC, COSATU, SACP, SANCO, ANC Youth League, ANC Women's League, the South African Council of Churches and fellow members of the ZDCF.
Nemaungani will be buried on Saturday, 30 July, at Tshikhwani. The service starts at 06:00.