31 Jan 2021

A few close friends and relatives on Thursday January 28 came through to say ‘so long’ to the late Kgosi Daniel Mathiba of Mmathethe, who died on January 24, due to the coronavirus complications, aged 69.

During his funeral service, speakers described him as a man who had pummelled his name into the annals of history through sheer hard work, smart and a larger-than-life ambition to feed the nation.

In a written statement, Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Mr Eric Molale described the late Mathiba as a true embodiment of courage, especially in the execution of his duties as a tribal leader.

He said the nation was blessed to have had a man of his calibre, whose vision shaped the ministry. 

As a neighbour at Mosisedi commercial farms, the minister said the late Mathiba came across as a jolly friend and tireless food producer.

He said Kgosi Mathiba’s legacy of hardwork would endure and inspire a generation of farmers across the district and beyond.

Kgosi Tirontle Kgopo of Mokgomane said Mathiba’s death was a heavy blow to the nation at large. 

He said the late Mathiba’s energy and devotion to rural development was unparalleled.

Kgosi Kgopo further said the late Mathiba was a selfless leader who gave a lot to farming and Bogosi institution. 

He encouraged his children to remain united and take up where he left off.

In view of the fact that the coronavirus restrictions had denied the family some grieving rituals, Kgosi Kgopo advised his children to someday organise a party to celebrate their father’s life and honour his memory.

Farmer and longtime friend, Mr John Phirinyane said they used to work together at the South African mines until such a point that he felt ‘this can’t be the story of my life’ quit and dedicated his entire life to farming.

Through his ready, noble hands, he said Kgosi Mathiba tilled the land and turned the circumstances around his life into a masterpiece it deserved to be. 

“He used to graft away in the farm all day and never allowed his status to stand in the way,” he said.

Mr Phirinyane, also a master farmer, said they were driven, not so much by a compulsion to accumulate wealth, but a burning desire to feed the nation. 

He said he had no doubt in his mind that his children would pick up the pieces because they were raised through farming.

A wistful farmer and mentor Hendrik Strydom, in an interview on the sidelines of the funeral service, said the deceased’ star was shining its brightest at the time of his demise.

Although the late Mathiba himself often said he did not go that far with schooling and usually called himself ‘malaisa’ casually translating to a labourer, Mr Strydom described the former as a man of education for he was keen to learn and adopt the latest farming technologies.

He said the late Mathiba was also a man of his word and a go-getter who never stopped half-way if he set his mind on something.

Orthosurge managing director,  Mr Sehularo Motshegare said the late master farmer worked day and night and counted him among the top four across the country. 

Likewise, he regarded Mr Mathiba as an inspiration,  especially to young farmers.

He was awarded the Presidential Certificate of Honour in recognition of his huge contribution to farming. 

He leaves behind his widow Elizabeth, 10 children and eight grandchildren. ENDS