The legacy of Gertrude Shope: a patriot

WHEN my mother passed on in 1973, I learnt about the pain of losing a mother and hoped it was my last experience. Today I feel the same pain with the passing of Mme Gertrude Shope, Isithwalandwe.

- AMBASSADOR WELILE NHLAPO

She treated me as her child and showed me the love of a mother. She was my leader and mentor at the same time. Her late husband, Mark Shope, was equally my father and political mentor. He groomed me to be a political instructor in our camp in Angola and recruited me to the underground structures of the SACP.

The Shopes were the in-laws of my childhood friend and Comrade, the late Tebogo Mafole. We all shared a strong bond of comradeship and selfless service to our people.

Many others have experienced the same warmth, parental love, and political mentorship I am writing about. It particularly gives me a deep sigh of relief to be personal about what is going through my mind.

Last week, her daughter, Lyndall, shared a video of her asking about me in a conversation they had. That is what a mother would do in her period of final reflection. I deeply understand why it happened and feel very overwhelmed that she thought about me.