Picture: The late Grace Masuku/Supplied
By OBAKENG MAJE
The heartfelt condolence messages continue to pour in after the passing of the world-renowned traditional conversationalist, Grace Masuku. The retired school principal, who spent her retirement dedicated to restoring the Bakgatla Ba Kgafela’s traditional respect for the environment and improving the living conditions of inhabitants in the approximately 30 surrounding villages, passed away on Monday after a prolonged illness.
Masuku (91) aimed to engender a spirit of self-sufficiency in the area, which in recent times has been hard hit by the closure of platinum mines. She had a profound understanding of indigenous knowledge systems and the environment. Also, Masuku was the brain behind several successful environmental and conservation initiatives.
The North West Premier, Bushy Maape said they are saddened by the passing of a septuagenarian. Maape further said that Masuku was instrumental in initiating Indigenous Knowledge Projects and several environmental and conservation initiatives in her community.
“She devoted her time to mentoring women and youth in fighting poverty and unemployment. Masuku belonged to a generation of heroes and heroines who dedicated their lives to the development of their communities. She was a true definition of a community builder.
“Masuku was selfless and dedicated her entire life to the development of her community. In 2006, the former president, Thabo Mbeki awarded Koko Grace Masuku the Order of Baobab in Silver. The Order is awarded to South African citizens for distinguished service in the fields of business and the economy, science, medicine, technological innovation as well as community service,” he said.
He added that a documentary that was directed by Karin Slater titled “From Nkoko with Love” featuring Koko Grace Masuku was aired on SABC 2 in 2006. Maape said the documentary, which was also screened at the now-defunct North West Film Festival in 2007 chronicled Koko Grace Masuku’s life and philosophy.
“In 2008 the North West Parks and Tourism Board published a book titled, “The Legacy and Heritage of Grace Meiki Masuku. These accolades and many others demonstrate that she was a person who was highly involved in the empowerment of her community through various initiatives, particularly in indigenous knowledge. She was a trailblazer who defied the odds in advocating for development in her community.
“So, we take this opportunity to convey our heartfelt condolences to the family, friends and the community of Bakgatla-ba-Kgafela on the passing of Koko Grace Masuku. Apart from being a traditional conservationist, as she calls herself, she is widely regarded as a powerhouse of knowledge on indigenous plants and a giant in sustainable rural development,” said Maape.
Masuku used her pension to visit numerous villages to provide training and ideas for businesses based on traditional values and knowledge. Her first project, Letswanana, began 21 years ago, and today continues to yield herbs that are used to treat diseases. Her most public project, Podi-Boswa (meaning ‘goat, our inheritance’), has provided more than 1 000 people with sustainable livelihoods by producing leather products from goat hides that had been discarded prior to the Podi-Boswa venture.
It all started when the Department of Trade and Industry’s Community Public-Private Partnerships Programme was looking for a project leader to co-ordinate a leather-producing initiative. Someone suggested Masuku, and she quickly surveyed the area to see whether the project was feasible.
She discovered that every household in the area owned one or more goats. A programme was implemented to train people in the production of leather skins and products. It was not long before they started seeing profits.
The Guardian 