TRIBUTE TO CDE PHINDILE PATRICIA MAVUSO
– A TIRELESS FIGHTER AND DAUGHTER OF THE SOIL. 1961 – 1997
Cde Phindile Patricia Mavuso was born on the 20th January 1961.
She was the third child of Mrs Nomvula Mavuso and the late Mr Peter Mavuso.
Education
She did her Primary schooling at Empumalanga Lower Primary School and Emzimvubu Primary School. Her Secondary schooling was done at Kwa-Mahlobo Secondary School and Meadowlands High School; she matriculated in 1981. She then proceeded to do a number of courses in Computer Studies.
Employment
Cde Phindile worked at the Wilgespruit Fellowship Centre for two years ( 1982 – 1984 ) as a community advisor on political, social and educational issues. From 1985 – 1988, she worked with the Self Help Association of Paraplegics (SHAP) working as a supervisor, liaising with clients and donors, serving as a Personal Secretary to the Manager. At time of her untimely death she working at the Photo Illustration Unit of the University of Witwatersrand, which she joined in 1989.
Community Activism
In her short but fruitful life, Cde Phindi has served in an executive capacity in twenty two organisations (22), viz.; the Azanian People’s Organisation ( AZAPO) ; she had been appointed into the National Disciplinary Committee of Azapo earlier that year in (1997) but only managed to attend few meetings of this committee due to ill health.
Azanian Students Movement (AZASM) 1978; Imbeleko Women’s Unit 1983; Fulani Poets Cultural Group 1984; Self Help Association of the Paraplegics (SHAP) 1984; Regional Committee of National Sports Association of the Disabled 1985; Amajuba Sports Club of the Disabled 1985; Disabled People of South Africa (DPSA) 1985; Women with Disabilities (DPSA) 1986; Independent Living Centre of the Disabled 1986; National Council of Trade Unions (NACTU) – Women ‘s unit 1989; Deputy President : Azanian Youth Organisation (AZAYO) 1992; Women ‘s Coalition 1993; Welfare Forum 1994; National Sports Council – Women ‘s Committee 1994; Cheshire Home SOWETO 1995; Deputy Treasurer : Municipality, Education, State, Health and Allied Workers Union (MESHAWU) 1994; Johannesburg Inner-City Council 1995; National Women’s Day Planning Committee 1996; Gauteng Chairperson : Women with Disabilities 1996; Public Service International Women’s Committee 1996.
Cde Phindi has travelled beyond the borders of her country to ably represent the interests of her constituency at a number of international conferences. These include the First Regional Meeting of Women with Disabilities held in Mauritius and the Technical Meeting of National Disability Policy and Legislation in Zimbabwe.
Cde Phindi passed away on Monday, 25th August 1997 and leaves her mother, a brother Sipho, two sisters Lungi and Dudu and her beloved daughter Ayanda.
Cde Phindi you shall forever be remembered, the people’s movement dearly miss you. Indeed, you became a brave and tireless fighter of the Azanian struggle, you did not let your disability to stand on your way. We shall not rest until your dream of a Democratic and Socialist Republic of Azania is realised. Azania shall Prevail.
ONE AZANIA ! ONE NATION !
