Hamba Kahle* uMama Agnes “Aunty Aggie” Msimang
Our mother and comrade Agnes Msimang has passed away.
Aunty Aggie dedicated her life to the struggle for liberation,
she spent decades in exile with young children and faced the pain and difficulties of a life in exile – distanced from her country and family.
Aunty Aggie was a second mother not to just me, but to all ANC exiles in India who took shelter and received unconditional love and motherliness from the amazing, caring, politically principled woman that she was – and all under the harshest of circumstances of exile.
Aunty Aggie returned from exile with our family and continued to work in the African National Congress (ANC) till the last days of her life.
Her life of selfless struggle, her love for all, her unwavering stance as a revolutionary, her life as a freedom fighter for the noble cause of liberation from Apartheid tyranny and oppression, must serve as an inspiration to the younger generation who breathe the air of freedom because of the sacrifices of people like aunty Aggie and so many others.
Aunty Aggie will always be a very special part of who I am as a person.
She was indeed a motherly figure who offered comfort and solace when times were hardest during our years in exile, forced to leave her home to fully immerse herself into the revolutionary movement against Apartheid.
Today we pause,
today we reflect,
today we give praise and shed tears of deep grief and sorrow in this most heartbreaking of times.
It is never easy to share ones sentiments about a person so close to our hearts who has passed away, but with aunty Aggie I will always be her “sweetiepie” and she will always remain my mother, my beloved aunt, my strength and my inspiration to try and my best to emulate her principled belief in freedom and justice for all, in the values of non-racialism, and to be a true human being.
I have never managed to come even close to the principles and values imparted to me by my beloved aunty Aggie, but I pledge once again to honour her life by continuing to try to live as aunty Aggie would have wanted to me live – a life of always speaking out and struggling to fight injustice wherever it may be found, and to stand firm and with one’s head held high no matter what this harsh world may throw our way.
Rest in peace, respected aunty Aggie.
The example you have shared with countless comrades shall never fade.
You will continue to live within us all – your children and your comrades.
Hamba Kahle* uMama Agnes Msimang!
Long live the revolutionary spirit of Comrade Agnes Msimang!
The Struggle Continues!
Viva the spirit of the women Viva!
* – Hamba Kahle – an isiXhosa and isiZulu term meaning “travel well” – often used when bidding a departed one adieu.
Condolences
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many humble thanks. deeply appreciated.
warmest wishes to you and to all those dear to you.
Peace ✌
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A lovely tribute…
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many humble thanks, my brother Vidur
Peace ✌
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Afzal , have my condolences.
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deeply moved. thank you my friend.
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I’m so sorry about your loss, Afzal. Aunty Aggie sounds like a truly incredible woman, and I’m happy that you got to spend so much time with her throughout your life.
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Thank you very much my brother Josh for your warm words of comfort. Yes she was an incredible woman and it was an honour to have known her. Thank you again brother for you words – they touch a chord and deeply so.
Peace ✌ always
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I’m glad my words did some good, as yours always do!
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you’re very kind, Josh – wishing you well and may the struggle to protect and preserve the fellow species with whom we share this world continue – before it is too late.
Peace ✌
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Thank you!
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✌
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Such a beautiful woman. I feel as though I could hug her to bits in that photo. Your loss must be great. I am glad you had her and her strength through it all. Your memories must be rich and warm.
I have just discovered the poet, Phillis Wheatley and will keep your aunt in mind as I learn more about her.
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Thank you, Léa, for your warm words of comfort and solace in this difficult time. Yes indeed she was a remarkable woman, as so so many women are but are never known. She was very old and frail and enduring many illnesses so in a way she is at peace now – though the pain of the loss still stings.
thank you again for your words at a time like this and wishing you the warmest of regards and peace and health and joy.
Peace ✌
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Thank you for sharing her. She was special indeed. The kind of person who could easily inspire someone to writer her biography… That would be fascinating to read. Yes, she has earned her rest a thousand times over but her legacy lives on. As you know, letting go is love’s hardest lesson.
Peace ✌
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your words are kind and very generous and deeply appreciated. thank you again my friend Léa
Peace and Hope and Equality and Gender-rights and Respect and Dignity and Justice for All ✌✊
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A woman I would have been proud to know. Thank you my friend and if one person is deprived their full rights, respect, dignity and justice, then no one will have it. It is for all or for nobody. ✌🌹✌
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so very true my respected friend. we are never truly free unless everyone is free
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Absolutely. Which is why Harriet Tubman threw herself into the Women’s Rights Movement. She believed with her whole heart that male or female, black or white. If one person is not free then no one is free. I concur whole heartedly.
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I concur wholeheartedly as well – such internationalist words of solidarity and struggle for ALL people everywhere
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