The world has had the hardest 2020 and 2021 with Covid19, through this the Foundation has felt the need to participate in key community projects. The closures of the economy caused people not to have food, so there was a project to distribute food parcels. The Foundation could not standby and do nothing, so through the partnership with KTF Africa there was a donation of over R45 000 in Mask distribution.

“The Woman who gave, unflinchingly, to those amongst us who were MARGINALIZED”

“Dr. Jantjie, Mam’ V or Mam Jantjie as l knew her was a second mother to me, she was motherly to me 100%. She was a very special human being who taught me to stand up for myself, despite the opposition l was getting from fellow women comrades, who felt that their brother (my husband) was to be protected from his foreign “kwerekwere” wife. Sad as this was – that revolutionary, enlightened women fell prey to this type of insidious xenophobic sentiment – Dr V Jantjie did not prescribe to it, she was a woman of SUBSTANCE. She was a people’s person, even though she was Medical Doctor. Her title didn’t define her. She had no class consciousness/barriers. She loved and respected people for who they were. Her surgery practice was for ALL LIBERATION MOVEMENTS from South Africa: ANC (MK), PAC (Apla), BCM etc Helping her comrades free of charge. 

She also taught me the most important thing in this life: she taught me to live FOR MYSELF! Not for anybody’s approval, because my life belongs to me, not to anyone. She was my role model when l was bringing up my children. I owe her my life!! In all my challenges, she was always there when l needed a friend and a mother. I remember one day when l took my last born daughter to her surgery with a high temperature, we (she and I) took my baby to the bathroom of her practice to cool her off with cold water, the temp wouldn’t come down, then she was referred to another clinic, the temperature would not come down, only to discover that my baby was naturally born with this high body temperature. They discharged her after a week, still with her high temperature, but the child was playing haooy with her high temperature, up till today, she always has this high temp, but is never really sick. My other daughter was born premature, less than a kg. Just over 800mg, Mama was there – this girl survived, in part thanks to Mama V who later on in her life became her role model. Mama Veronica was ALWAYS IN MY LIFE.. She taught me so much about life, for me character-wise, she helped to mould my personality and to survive and build my family despite the challenges and not to be a coward, to stand up for myself. I learnt to build my confidence to face any situation no matter what it may be. Or how impossible it seemed at the time. I also learnt that life’s lessons do not end! I thank this lron lady, Mama/ Dr. Veronica Jantjie. 

She helped me and my family without prejudice. We loved Mama Veronica, she loved us too. She did so much for the South African Liberation struggle, caring for everyone even more than herself. To me she was and still is A TRUE SOLDIER, who dedicated her life to people, and for the liberation struggle!! She herself epitomized the movement. She was strength personified with a dash of humour. She had so many quirks eg being a stickler for grammar (in my 3 score and half a decade years on this planet I actually shudder to think how she would react to my tiny ode to her. Hahahaha)

She also used to mix her ginger ale with beer and nobody ever questioned her choices whether it was a beverage or clothes or the car that she drove – an ancient VW Beetle with as much character as she had… because she was a force of nature. She embodied self confidence.

One of the things that I remember fondly about Mama V is that she was not a humble woman – far from it. She had a strong sense of self. An understanding of her strengths and weaknesses and an insatiable willingness to learn and improve in various aspects of her life. From the positive perspective, ego simply means a solid, healthy and strong sense of self. To be a powerful force in life means that an individual has to be solid and self-reliant. Though a big ego is usually considered to be a negative trait, in fact, the bigger the ego, the better.

Big ego doesn’t mean you’re stuck-up or conceited; rather it means you are able to access within yourself the truth in any given situation. This involves reason, discernment and balance, even in the most tumultuous and challenging times. All too often though, what is meant by a big ego entails a bull-headed, narrow-minded, arrogantly self-centered attitude. Mama was not that. She was intuitive, smart, beautiful, kind and generous and I am sure that a lot of people have anecdotal evidence that can attest to that.

We thank the Jantjie (Dyantyi) family for allowing us to share their Mother, Sister, Aunt, Confidant, healthcare practitioner and most of all their rock as she was our rock. 

“The Gogo to all Children that she knew”

“Gogo Jantjie meant a lot to me personally and shaped me to be who l am currently. I used to take walks with her and she would hold on to my elbow, and we would walk… And walk…. And walk and talk. Gogo had an amusing way of putting you in your place when you stepped out of line without raising her voice and this would have the same effect as a 1000 lashings. She was kind, she was adventurous and she was my Gogo and other people’s Gogo too. 

Gogo was also a medical doctor so she inspired me to study medicine, it’s still in the cards to do in the future. I am sure she would find that amusing that l have gone the long way round of doing things and now instead of medicine, l studied science. 

Gogo Jantjie was warm, her laugh would light up her room and she loved her Amstel dashed with Stoney. 

I love always love you Gogo and always will. 

“My Aunt, My Mother and My Friend……….”

It was in 1966 that the Matlou family moved from Tanzania to Ghana, a mere 10 days after the infamous overthrow of the late president, the 0sagyefo Kwame Nkrumah. On arrival in Ghana the political climate was very hostile to freedom fighters. Mrs Matlou was forced to send her young children to boarding school in Nigeria.

It was through Mr. Andrew Mashigo, a South African teacher resident in Nigeria that the Matlou children met Dr Veronica Jantjie. In exile every older compatriot was either auntie or uncle. And that’s who Dr. Jantjie became to me, auntie.

I left Nigeria for Ghana after my 6th form in 1971. I met up with Dr. Jantjie again in 1980 on my return from Europe. Her sons Solly (now late) and Themba were like my own blood brothers. While living with a former school friend, the late Solly invited me to go and live with them at 1004 residential block of flats, in Victoria lsland. It was here that l truly bonded with mama. She’d laugh and tell me that she was fooled by my long nails. That she was pleasantly surprised to find out that l was a well grounded well brought up African child, coz l’d go on my knees and scrub the house dpuc and span with my bare long nailed hands. I loved her.

Her house was a hive of activity, a gathering place for young people friends of her sons and a refuge for South Africans headed to whatever part of the world in our ne’er ending migration as refugees.

After 1976 and the exodus of many young people from south Africa those who found themselves in that block of flats knew there was a mother figure downstairs they could run to fir whatever help was needed, your political affiliation was immaterial. She left Nigeria and made it to Zimbabwe. 

On my frequent visits to Botswana where my parents had now relocated to l would often stop over in Zimbabwe knowing that l was always welcome to stay at her place. Here l found out that she was still mothering South Africans giving free medical treatment when necessary. When we finally returned to a free South Africa mama was finally home to her beloved South Africa. I thank God that when she passed away, l was able to bury my beloved auntie, who had such a big loving heart

“The long walk back to South Africa”

Veronica was an incredible sister, we met in Nigeria in the late seventies where contacts were prized. She was so willing to assist anyone who needed her help and she seemed to know everyone. She always made one feel that the problem itself was never that big because she focused on resolving the problem rather than the problem. As a physician she was superb and her brilliant mind was evident. She cared for many exiled South Africans, not worrying what political affiliation one came from. Her support was medical, financial and emotional not only to South Africans but anyone who needed it. She was a Pan Africanist and was very focused on assisting the people of the continent as shown in the diverse friends she had, when her eldest son died in Nigeria she was inconsolable.

In the early eighties, we all moved to Zimbabwe where our friendship continued. She was especially fond of her youngest son, Sizwe who eventually became part of my family. She opened a medical practice and once again it became the practice for South Africans from all walks of life and to receive her willing and spontaneous assistance to others continued. Eventually we all returned to South Africa to different cities. News of her death upset me greatly. I remember her with great fondness and great amusement as we shared many laughs. I miss her dearly.