Epainette Mbeki

Nomaka Epainette Mbeki, commonly known as "MaMbeki", a stalwart community activist and promoter of women's development, mother of former President of South Africa, Thabo Mbeki. and widow of political activist and Rivonia trialist, Dr. Govan Mbeki. She lived in Ngcingwane, a rural hamlet near Dutywa, one of South Africa's poorest municipalities. She was known for her auspicious relatives and, more importantly to her, her endeavours to improve the residents' quality of life. Gillian Rennie, in an award-winning profile, quoted a co-worker as saying, "She is not like other retired people, getting a pension and saying, 'Let me play golf and fish a bit.' The old lady is a humble person."