The community of Vhembe woke up to the sad news on Saturday, 21 March, that a well-known Louis Trichardt pastor, Pastor Wilson Mpilo (63) of Rhema Faith in Christ Bible Church, had passed away after a short illness at the Puluso Medi-Clinic in Polokwane.
Mpilo was the co-founder of Wilmary Private School in the Kutama area, a school that consistently achieved a 100% matric pass rate. He was also a member of the Sinthumule/Kutama Pastor’s forum.
Before retiring as an educator, he served for many years as the deputy principal of Magau Primary School.
“We are still reeling in shock and disbelief because he was a pillar of strength in our family,” said the deceased’s younger brother, Marcus “Tiger” Mpilo. He added that although the family is in deep mourning, they are comforted by the fact that Pastor Mpilo touched many lives during his lifetime.
“His love for the community came before anything else. He was loved by many, and he created a very long chain of friends who appreciated his frank way of life. His departure is a terrible loss to the family, the church and the community of the Makhado area,” he said.
Makhado Mayor Dorcus Mboyi sent her sincere condolences to the Mpilo family and the broader community within the Makhado municipal area.
“Pastor Mpilo participated in various municipal programmes and supported government initiatives through thick and thin. We feel very sad when we continue to lose community builders like him, because this leaves our municipality poorer,” she said.
Pastor Mpilo will be laid to rest at Louis Trichardt Cemetery on Saturday, 28 March.