Manzi Ellen Matlhodi Mashatile

Wife, Mother, Daughter, Sister

Manzi was the pillar of both the Mashatile and Seemela families particularly when it came to taking care of her mother Toma and her mother in law the late Nomvula Mashatile. She took on the responsibility for the education not only of her own children but the children of her siblings, brothers-in-law and many more. She always made sure that their school fees were paid.

More importantly, Manzi always made sure that both the Mashatile and Seemela families had all they needed when it came to food and clothing. After assuming these responsibilities, it allowed her
husband to focus on his tasks during the struggle and also later in Government and in the ANC.

She was a religious woman. She was dedicated to worshipping the Lord every Sunday. She would also make it a family day by taking the children and any other family member with her to church. If not preparing lunch at home she would take them out for Sunday lunch.

Timeline

  • June 1964

    Born

    Manzi Ellen Matlhodi Mashatile was born on the 15th of June 1964 in Alexandra Township, Johannesburg. She was the second child of Kgathaki John and Nombulelo Seemela fondly known as Toma. Her siblings are Makgotla, Benny, Queen, Lucky and Boitumelo.

  • January 1976

    Education

    Manzi started her schooling at Emfundisweni primary school in Alexandra Township, she then moved on to Pholosho Higher primary in Alexandra  and after the 1976 June students uprising she moved to Alexandra high school, the same school that her husband Paul Mashatile also attended. Manzi did most of her tertiary studies through part-time or correspondence, including management courses with Damelin college.

  • July 1986

    Work

    Work wise Manzi started her own beauty salon business in Rosebank and later went to work at Giovanni Battista Hair Care in Killarney Mall. She then moved on to work for Edgars in their Balfour park store where she was promoted to manager in no time because of her intellectual capacity, hard work and dedication. A few years later she again set up her own beauty Salon known as “Bontlelicious” together with her daughter Palesa

  • January 1994

    Family

    Manzi will always be remembered as the pillar of our families. She brought up her children under strict conditions, making sure they always do their homework, always clean their rooms, wash and iron their own clothes and made sure they learnt how to cook.

    This upbringing helped the children once they got to university where her children did really well. She became a proud mother seeing her children graduate from university, with Palesa achieving a Masters Degree in Entrepreneurship and her nephew Popo Mashatile who completed a Medical Degree in Cuba last week. The children have gone on to assume responsible positions in their respective work places. Manzi dearly loved her only granddaughter Bontle, who will be starting her own journey in university next year.

  • July 2020

    Passed Away

    Mrs Manzi Mashatile passed on after a long illness, Manzi leaves behind her husband Paul Mashatile and children Palesa, Thabiso,
    Tinyiko and Ayanda. She also leaves behind her niece Neo, granddaughter Bontle, her mother Toma as well as her 5 siblings and 3 nephews. Many loved ones including the Mashatile, Seemela, Ncube and Nonkwelo families will greatly miss her.

Videos

Tributes

TRIBUTE BY

Paul Mashatile

Mogatso, I am grateful for all you have done for me and your contribution to the struggles of our people. I know very well that without your support I would not have succeeded in the many challenging tasks of the ANC and Government. You were always there by my side.

Even when days were dark I knew I could look forward to going home for comfort and support. My love, you have fought the good fight , you finished the race and you kept the faith. Go now to where there is in store for you the crown of righteousness, which the Lord the righteous Judge will award to you. We will continue to honour you and our departed mother in many ways over the coming years whilst alive on this earth.

Rest In Peace my Love and rise in Glory!!
Hamba kahle Mbokodo!!

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