TRADITIONAL conservationist Grace Masuku, from the Bakgatla Ba Kgafela tribe in Moruleng in the North West, was laid to rest in her home village of Lekutung in Rustenburg on Sunday, 18 June.
Gogo Masuku (91) passed away in hospital surrounded by her family on Monday, 12 June.
The family said they were overwhelmed by the outpouring of support for this iconic figure and gogo to many.
Masuku, a former school principal, spent her retirement dedicated to restoring and improving the living conditions of the Bakgatla tribe.
She was committed to the innovative use of indigenous knowledge.
Masuku had four surviving children from five.
Her second-born daughter, Mpho Masuku, said her mum would be remembered for her deep knowledge of the Batswana people’s traditions and cultural values.
“She taught us to believe in prayer. She gave love to everyone regardless of who they are. We have truly lost a giant,” she said.
Masuku’s cousin, Ntshadi Tsheole, said she was passionate about nature and traditional healing.
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“Koko Masuku contributed a lot to preserving our African culture. She worked tirelessly to ensure that her people understood who they were and where they came from, and that’s her legacy.
“Former president Thabo Mbeki awarded her the Order of the Baobab in Silver in 2006. She was recognised as a primary contributor for the Indigenous Knowledge Systems (IKS) Centre by the North West University, among many other achievements,” Tsheole said.
She said that Masuku had done a lot to help people in different communities, including opening an indigenous pharmacy that produces herbs to treat diseases.
Masuku’s neighbour, Thathane Tlhase, said she was a giver.
“We lived like a family.
“She loved and was loved by everyone. We will miss her humility,” Tlhase said.
Bakgatla Ba Kgafela Chief Nyalala Pilane said Masuku was a leader and disciplinarian.
“She had a profound understanding of indigenous knowledge systems and the environment. She was the mastermind behind several successful environmental and conservation initiatives.
“Her undoubted vocation was organising women and the youth around her and showing them how to use the environment in a sustainable way,” Chief Pilane said.
He said her efforts to alleviate poverty, using her wisdom, had not gone unnoticed.
