TUT in Solidarity With UFH During Its Hour of Mourning

On the dark and rainy Eastern Cape winter morning of 13 May 2023, Mr Msingathi Lawrence Langa, executive bodyguard of the University of Fort Hare (UFH), was buried in eMnyameni village in Kentani. The accident took place on 30 April 2023 and Langa died as a result. The death of Mr. Mboneli Vesele in January of this year makes him the second executive bodyguard to pass away at UFH in the past year.

TUT in Solidarity With UFH During Its Hour of Mourning

A hundred grieving villagers joined TUT’s Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Tinyiko Maluleke, and members of the university’s executive management to say goodbye to an inconsolable family member.

Kentani is 115 kilometers from Xunu, where Nelson Mandela was born, and was born ten months after the release of Mandela. The 33-year-old Msingathi Langa lived in democratic South Africa all of his childhood, youth and adulthood, despite not having been born free.

A number of speakers spoke at the funeral of a man who was well known for his amiable and peaceful nature and for being a staunch fan of the Orlando Pirates. A number of colleagues at UFH spoke highly of his work ethic, diligence, and conscientiousness. The only survivors Msingathi has are his sister Avela and son Alunasiphelo, who have already lost their parents.

The University of Fort Hare community is deeply grieved by the passing of the Council, management, staff, and students of TUT.

My deepest condolences go out to Msingathi Langa’s family and friends. Lala ngoxolo Rhadebe! Mthumkhulu!

from right, Prof Tinyiko Maluleke, Vice Chancellor and Principal with colleagues from UFH, DVC for Research, Dr Nthabi Taole Mjimba and CFO, Charles Matumba.