Passing us by

Last week we heard the news that two people closely linked to us at Coral Stephens had died within days of each other.  The first was David Mantanga the son of Sylvia.    He was not an old man, and died of a sudden, undetermined illness.   It is a real shock to the family.  David was well known in the community, he was politically involved in South Africa during the turmoil of 1976 and was smuggled into Swaziland in the boot of a car while on the run from the security police.  He settled down into Swazi life, got married and began farming vegetables.  He had an old bakkie which drove up and down Swaziland filled with whatever he had grown.  He wore an equally old hat, and had a crumpled smile which was normally displayed.

He farmed on a patch of land nearby our weaving studio and would generously leave a bag of butternut or a beautiful cauliflower for me.  He left two sons who are also involved in supplying fresh vegetables, he had passed on his work ethic and his green fingers to them.  Driving home on Saturday afternoon I passed his funeral procession as it drove towards his homestead.  I did not notice a hearse, instead there was a bright white refrigerated vegetable truck, belonging to one of his sons and I am sure he was inside it.

Grace Zulu passed away on Tuesday 6th February.  She had been involved with the development of Coral Stephens and was a skilled weaver and dyer in the early days.  Grace supported young weavers, spread her knowledge unstintingly and was a perfectionist in what she did.  A bad knee forced her into retirement and she cared for various grandchildren while at home.   We did not see much of her, but her legacy continues through her family.  One of her daughter’s, Margaret, is the head weaver with Marguerite Stephens’s tapestry studio in Johannesburg.  Another daughter and granddaughter work for me, and her wonderful sister, Zodwa. 

  Coral Stephens, the company, has been around for 63 years and has had input from many hands and in turn has influenced those hands and lives.

5 Responses to “ Passing us by ”

1. Frances says:

   February 15, 2012 at 10:46 am

   So sad to hear about Grace and David. I never knew about David’s history; fascinating.

   Beautifully written.
2. Zukile says:

   May 30, 2012 at 12:11 pm

   i would like to take this opportunity guys of thanking you for all that you did for publishing my granny as i found her on Google , i am very happy that you were caring this way about her….

   Zukile Mantanga
3. admin says:

   June 11, 2012 at 2:18 pm

   Thanks Zukile, we miss Sylvia every day and are grateful for all she taught us. Please come and say “hello” when you are next in Piggs Peak.
4. Zukile Mantanga says:

   July 10, 2012 at 1:35 pm

   i will do that when i am there , hope you will remember me because i know some of you and she was always talking of Mrs (your mommy) which tells that they were in good relationship in deed, so to me that left a legacy , and i am happy with so many thanks even on what you dad did to sarve my uncles death when he was politically involved on 1976, but we we will talk a lot when i am there, very soon i will give a visit

   ZM
5. Zukile says:

   July 11, 2012 at 1:04 pm

   that i will do with pleasure and within no time because i never attend my uncles funeral so i have to give a visit, soon…..

   there is a lot to thank you about but i think when we meet we will talk….

   I thank you

   ZM