Arrangements for the official of the late former General Secretary of Metal and Allied Workers Union and NUMSA longest serving official comrade Thembi Nabe-Nkuna are now at an advanced stage.

The current and serving National Office Bearers (NOBs’) of Numsa, the Nabe-Nkuna family and COSATU have been overwhelmed by the massive national and international response to the sad passing away of comrade Thembi Nabe-Nkuna. There have been moving tributes and messages condolences from worker organisations and fraternal trade unions abroad. The Funeral Service is expected to be attended by thousands tomorrow Wednesday October 30, 2013, as we will be paying our last respect to this gallant heroine and selfless servant of the workers and the poor.

Since Nabe-Nkuna’s sad departure from the land of the living, we have been consoling ourselves with the words of our unsung poet John Donne;

“Death be not proud, thy hand gave not this blow….
The executioner of wrath thou art,
But to destroy the just is not thy part…

Glory not thou thy self in these hot tears
Which our face wears;

The mourning livery given by Grace, not thee,
Which wills our souls in these streams washed should be,
And our hearts, (his) memories best tomb,
In this (his) Epitaph doth write thy doom…”

Death shall not be proud!

We have made serious efforts to ensure that the Funeral Service and burial reflects the stature of comrade Nabe-Nkuna’s life and unwavering commitment to the struggle of the workers and the poor, and the solemnity of his untimely demise.

We therefore wish to advice of the following arrangements:

1. The body of the late Thembi Nabe-Nkuna will leave her home for church, House 448 Dikgwading Street, Extension 2, Vosloorus, tomorrow Wednesday October 30, 2013, at 8h00am. This will be preceded by a private family valedictory service at the Nabe-Nkuna residence between 7h00am –until- 8h00am.

2. The Funeral Service will be held at 9h30am –until- 11h30, at Change Bible Church in Kathlehong, Tsholo Section, next to the Tsholo Community Hall. The Funeral Service will open with the singing of Nkosi Sikelela iAfrika, prayers and scripture readings. Speakers will include members of the Nabe-Nkuna’s family, former MAWU colleagues, past Numsa National Office Bearers. The Numsa President CEDRIC GINA will present the funeral oration. The service will close with the reading of wreaths and a sermon by Reverend.

3. Following the service, at 11h30am, the procession will leave from Change Bible Church to Rondebult Cemetery, Dawn Park.

4. The Procession is expected to arrive at Cemetery at 12h45. The coffin will be met by a ceremonial guard of honour. A Reverend will preside at the graveside. The burial will be concluded with the sounding of the last post, a benediction and the singing of revolutionary songs.

Issued by NUMSA Head Office – 0116891700/2