Mrs. Sophie Mazibuko, the former head of the SACC’s Dependant’s Conference, passed away on 15 May 2007 and was buried at Avalon Cemetery on 22 May. This tribute to her was written by her friend and former colleague, the Rev. Bernard Spong.

There are people who are larger than life. Not because of their physical size or their important position in society, but because of their character. When they pass on we do not value them through the number of their years or the size of their bank account but in terms of their personality, their spirit of life and their moral fibre.

Such a person was Mrs Sophie Mazibuko.

Her passing away created waves of sadness, along with incredible memories of her contribution to the struggle against apartheid and the creation of our democracy, for many people throughout this land. Thousands of South Africans, at various levels of society, hear her name and remember who she was and what she did for them.

Sophie Mazibuko was a social worker. She trained for that profession in the days when Black women of ability had few professional possibilities open to them. Teaching or social work were the major choices. Her interest in people and her anger at the life, or lack of it, imposed by apartheid upon the Black majority made her turn almost automatically to become a social worker. It did not remain a profession; it became a mission.

Sophie worked for the South African Council of Churches (SACC) where she was among the few founding staff members of one of its major programmes: Dependant's Conference. This was the agency that gave both moral and physical support to those who suffered from imprisonment and banishment throughout the years of apartheid.

In a tribute to her memory from the Rev Dr Bongani Blessing Finca we are reminded: "The name Sophie Mazibuko became a household name with thousands of families which were touched directly or indirectly by the horrendous occurrences of living in an apartheid state. They were either direct victims or dependants of those who suffered political killings, abductions, torture, imprisonment, exile, detention without trial, forced removals, severe ill-treatment and other gross human rights violations to which the people of South Africa were subjected in very large numbers for a very long time.

”Sophie Mazibuko's work in the South African Council Churches made her a friend, relative, mother and caregiver to hundreds of thousands of dependants of our political activists. She performed her work not just as a task, but as a vocation to which she felt a sense of calling. In the process of doing so, she marked her name indelibly in the hearts, minds and souls of so many of us."

Dr Frank Chikane, a former General Secretary of the SACC and the present Director General of the President's Office, speaks of her as someone who was "on the frontline of service to the victims of apartheid during a critical time in the history of the country" and that she "was a mother, a sister, and a servant of the people."

Those who worked with her testify to her work ethic and discipline. She kept accurate records, reports of all the prisoners and their families and developed a unique working relationship with legal teams who were often called upon to give their assistance to prisoners and detainees. She laboured for long hours in her office and she demanded similar high standards from all who worked with her.

The present General Secretary of the SACC, Mr Eddie Makue, was one of those. He joined her staff in 1986 following a period of detention. He tells of the number of times that "Sophie would remind us 'There is work to be done' but she would not only tell us but set the example to us through the work she did herself."

Mrs Barbara Manthata, the Rev Gift Moerane and others testify to the same professional standards along with a deep sense of compassion and concern for each and every one. Her work ethic was hard but her heart was soft. She treated all with respect as individuals in days when the overriding governance was to label people according to colour and ethnic group. The word 'mother' crops up time and time again from those who experienced her friendship and counsel.

Dr Hlope Bam, another former General Secretary of the SACC and the present Chairperson of the Independent Electoral Commission, remembers her courage. "She was fearless," she says and will tell many stories of prison visits and the manner in which Sophie would stand up to those in authority to ensure that prisoners and their families received the assistance of Dependant's Conference ranging from basic financial grants to legal aid, educational opportunities, counselling and whatever was possible in specific emergencies. She knew the death rows of many prisons and was ready to place herself wherever she believed there was need to comfort and support.

Her ability to speak with individuals was matched by a capacity to speak to groups. Much of the overseas aid that came to ensure the Dependant's Conference could carry out its important role was due to the manner in which Sophie impressed with dramatic illustration the needs of those who suffered under the hell of apartheid.

Her strength of character and willpower to patiently continue with this incredibly stressful work came from a deep faith. Along with many others who worked at Khotso House in those turbulent days of the nineteen seventies and eighties she valued the opportunity of communal worship. She could be an outspoken and outgoing servant of the oppressed because she was a servant of the Most High God. Attendance at morning prayers where the Khotso House community met each day was important to Sophie. She knew the value of prayer and praise as a means of recommitment to the values of the gospel and a recharging of yourself to face whatever you may have to face in the service of the God of the poor and oppressed.

And, above all, Sophie Mazibuko was a person of fun. She was serious about her work and her faithfulness and that commitment enabled her to enjoy life and live it to the full. Her laughter echoes through the memories of those of us who knew her as colleague and friend. It will remain with us through the years as we recall her devotion to God, her service to those who suffered under apartheid and her righteous anger at those who would hurt others and deny their dignity.

She remains one of the Unsung Heroes of our nation. But we know that there are many in our nation who will sing her praise and give thanks for her life. We mourn her death today. We salute her courage. We celebrate her life. To the family that shared her with us all, we say, "Thank you so very much." To God who touched her soul and called her to this ministry and service, we give praise and glory.

To the sadness and smiles of our memories we let you go Sophie. You shared your life with us, may God give you His eternal life. You brought some joy to those in pain, may God bless you with His unending joy. You gave relief to souls in anguish, may God grant you His eternal peace.

For more information, contact: Mr. Eddie Makue, SACC General Secretary (082 853 8781)