05 May 2016
The Department of Military Veterans’ dips its banner, to the fallen stalwart woman military veteran Ms Nomvo Booi, of the Azanian People’s Liberation Army Military Veterans Association (APLAMVA), who passed on the 23th March 2016.The funeral service of this heroine of the struggle for democracy, will start at her home, at 24 Morning Side Road, Amalinda and proceed to the Trinity Methodist Church on the 7 May 2016.
Ms Nomvo Booi was part of the first generation, to join the military wing of the Pan Africanist Congress in the 1960s, she was a founding member of the PAC in 1959 together with the late Robert Sobukwe, and she was also one of the first APLA cadres following its formation in 1960. Subsequently she was arrested, detained and tortured as well as banned by the then apartheid forces and served 3 years in prison.
Ms Booi left the country in 1982 via Lesotho and went to Tanzania were she received extensive military training under the Azanian People’s Liberation Army and she had a deep and meaningful love for the PAC. This organization aligned with her values and desire to liberate the African mind. She spent many years living under the nom de Guerre (assumed name) Margaret Soko in foreign lands like Tanzania, Zimbabwe and Lesotho far away from her children, her family and loved ones. This would not put her down though as she became uMama to many an APLA soldier in these foreign lands!
She returned to South African in 1992 following the unbanning of the PAC, ANC and other organizations. She moved to East London and soon after, reestablished her relationship with the Methodist church. The Amalinda church embraced her and confirmed her as uMama woManyano in 2009. Ms Booi was attacked by a stroke in 2009 that impaired her speech until the time of her passing on the 28th April 2016.
The Department of Military Veterans extends its condolences to the family of Ms Nomvo Booi for the loss of one of the gallant women who helped bring about democracy and freedom.
Lala Kahle Qhawe la Maqhawe! We will always remember you.
For more information contact Mbulelo Musi (Department Spokesperson) on 082 338 3890
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