Condolence to the family of a gallant rural women’s leader, Ms Molo

The MEC for Rural Development and Agrarian Reform Zoleka Capa is passing her deepest condolence to the gallant women development leader and the founding President for the Women in Agriculture and Rural Development (WARD), Nowongile Cynthia Molo who passed away recently.

Mama Molo (as she was affectionately known) pioneered the formation of WARD in the Eastern Capa in 1997 and she mobilised more women and it was launched nationally in 2002, to include all nine provinces.

The distinguished leader was awarded The Order of the Baobab in bronze by President Jacob Zuma in April 2011 in recognition of her notable service which is above and beyond the ordinary call of duty.

She has received many accolades, including the Provincial Entrepreneur of the Year on two occasions and recognition by former Eastern Cape Premier Nosimo Balindlela for preservation of the Xhosa language and culture on radio.

MEC Capa praised Molo for her exceptional and distinguished contributions in agri-business and the economy of the province and the country through her work in the development of women.

The Honourable MEC said Molo has contributed vastly in the mobilisation of rural women to be involved in development programmes in their areas, especially revival of agricultural activities.

Mama Molo was one of the outstanding rural development ambassadors who was willing to sacrifice so that the dream of vibrant rural community is realised, the MEC said.

She was instrumental in the formation of Youth in Agriculture and Rural Development (YARD), which is aimed at mobilising the youth to be involved in the agriculture sector something that MEC Capa is also advocating.

Mama Molo was the member of the National Executive Committee of the ANC Women’s League between 1993 and 1997.

 She played a vital role in the agricultural development in both the province and national as she also served in national executive of the Wool Growers Association and a board member of Uvimba Bank.

She died at Butterworth on Sunday long illness,  

 Background on Nowongile Cynthia Molo

For her outstanding contribution to the development of women through the Women in Agriculture and Rural Development (WARD) project, a self-empowerment initiative that changed the lives of many families, Nowongile Cynthia Molo was awarded the Order of Baobab in Bronze

Nowongile Cynthia Molo was born in 1949 in the former Transkei (now Eastern Cape). She completed the Junior Certificate (Form 3) at Bethel College. She has also taken courses in Political Theory, Leadership Skills and HIV and AIDS.

Molo worked for the Department of Education in the Eastern Cape, where she was mainly involved in the building and renovation of schools.

Apart from these activities, Molo has been an active field worker since 1978, starting first at the Africa Cooperative Action Trust and later mobilising communities on issues affecting them. She was also one of the founding members of the Dispute Resolution and Peace Forum for the entire Transkei homeland.

She founded the Vukani Women’s Organisation, a structure which later evolved into the African National Congress (ANC) Women’s League in the Transkei Region. From 1993 to 1997, she served on the National Executive Committee of the ANC Women’s League as an organiser.

Molo pioneered the founding of WARD in the province in 1997 before she launched nationally in 2002 to become its founding President and worked closely with the Department of Agriculture at all levels. Due to her input, several women from her organisation received Female Farmer Awards.

Before her death she served as a board member at Uvimba Bank in the Eastern Cape, a Director of Ilima Agri Service, a member of the National Marketing Council based in Pretoria and a council member of the National Wool Growers Association.

Apart from the reward of seeing fellow women making a difference in their economic lives through her influence, Molo has received several awards in the province, including an award from the Eastern Cape Premier for Commitment to Language, Customs and Traditions and an award from the Agriculture MEC for her contribution to the development of rural women, including the Female Entrepreneur of the Year Award.

With her rich life derived from enriching others as a community organiser, motivator and development advocate, Ms Molo has made a huge impact on rural development.

On 27 April 2011, the State President, Jacob G Zuma, conferred Nowongile Cynthia Molo with the Order of Baobab in Bronze for her outstanding contribution to the development of rural women in agriculture.

For more information contact:
Ayabulela Ngoqo
Cell: 071 603 3235

Province

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