Provincial and local senior officials of the African National Congress (ANC) attended the funeral service of the late Thivhulawi Jeffrey Gundula, who passed away on 22 June, following a long illness. The former ANC councillor and top businessman was laid to rest at Makonde village last Saturday morning (1 July).
Among the mourners were the deputy Speaker of the provincial legislature, the regional chairperson of the ANC in the Vhembe District Mr Tshitereke Matibe, Thulamela Mayor Ms Athingozwidivha Sarah Rambuda, and local political guru Mr Thifulufhelwi Samuel Magada.
Speaking during the service, Matibe said that the ANC had lost a foot soldier of note. "We are here to support the Gundula family in their time of grief and to remind everyone what a hard-working member of the ANC Gundula really was. He always carried his diary and a file with him as he moved around the whole province, recruiting people to join the ANC. He was a door-to-door specialist and one of the best cadres of our time. May his soul rest in peace," he said.
Gundula was born at Makonde village in 1956. He started school at Geogenholtz Primary School before moving on to Tembisa, in Gauteng, where he completed his secondary schooling. According to the family spokesperson and former circuit manager, Mr Livhuwani Phophi, Gundula worked for different companies in Johannesburg and helped in forming political structures to fight against draconian labour laws during the dark days of apartheid. He later started his own business empire in the building industry, building houses to rent, and became one of the most successful landlords in Johannesburg.
Gundula is survived by two wives and four children, Ndivhuwo, Rendani, Dakalo and Khuthadzo.