Tribute

Dearest Msibi family, comrades and friends

I am immensely sad not to be with you today, to bid farewell to a dear comrade and friend, beloved Mom to Hlabi and Kimi, grandmother and dear friend to so many of us. Ma Betty was Sis B to my generation. I first met her in Maputo in 1980 soon after she had crossed the border ar dead of night, toddler Hlabi in hand and baby Kimi in arms. They were joining husband and father Mandla Msibi, MK name Blackman, wanted by the security police back home for his daring exploits. Sis B in exile soon won the hearts of us all. She became a loyal friend to all in the ANC including internationalist comrades and particularly MK comrades deeply underground.

All found her home to be an oasis of hospitality where they could put up their feet to relax and recover. This was in the most dangerous of times where the steadfastness of the likes of Sis B and her concern for all of our large national family would be strengthened by her humour and compassion. It is a testament to her courage and patriotism that her commitment to see our country free did not flag or give way to submission when her husband Mandla was killed by the enemy in Swaziland.

Mother Courage stood tall and unbent as she consoled her daughters and with ANC support kept them true to their father’s values – which were values they imbibed in their Mother’s milk. Ma B was the bedrock of her family and our people. It is the likes of her that we pulled through those most dangerous and difficult of times to the point of the breakthrough over apartheid.

Back home she worked diligently for our intelligence services until retirement. Our people and country owe so much to this simple noble woman. The life she lived was one of angelic purity. Whether we refer to her as Ma B or Sis we can truly say that the life she lived imbues us with strength and the steely resolve to never say die, but to work to fulfill her dreams.

Malibongwe! Mother of Africa. May you rest in peace.