Johanna 'Mafuyana' Nkomo
| Johanna Nkomo | |
|---|---|
 Stamp with Johanna Nkomo's picture | |
| Born | Johanna Fuyana September 18, 1927 |
| Died | June 3, 2003 (aged 75) |
| Cause of death | Stomach pains |
| Resting place | National Heroes Acre, Harare. |
| Spouse(s) | Joshua Nkomo |
| Children |
|
| Parent(s) | Paul Silwalume Fuyana, Maria Sithunzesimbi |
| Relatives | Mdilizelwa (grandfather) |
Johanna Fuyana Nkomo was the wife of late Vice President of Zimbabwe and nationalist, Joshua Nkomo. She's generally referred as Mafuyana which means a mother belonging to the Fuyana clan.
Background
Johanna was born to Paul Silwalume Fuyana and Maria Sithunzesimbi and had 2 siblings. She was the second child.
She attended St Joseph’s Primary School and Emphandeni before proceeding to work for the Dominican Sisters’ Convent in Bulawayo as a girls hostel matron for two years.[1]. While she was working at the Convent, she met Joshua Nkomo (whose father was married to her sister). Joshua and Johanna married on October 1, 1949.
War of Independence
Johanna Nkomo generally raised their family in their Pelandaba home while Nkomo was away fighting in the war of Zimbabwe's independence. She was once arrested and detained briefly however on one occasion when Southern Rhodesia Special Branch agents came to her house and she hurled at can at them.[1]
In March 1977, Johnanna Nkomo left Zimbabwe with her family in a hurry when information about a plan to kidnap the family's 13-year old Sehlule, was known to her. She briefly stayed in England in 1977 before proceeding to the then German Democratic Republic.
Pictures
Death
Johanna Nkomo died on 3 June 2003 after complaining of stomach pains. He was buried at the National Heroes Acre on 7 June, next to Joshua Nkomo's grave.
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 MaFuyana: Royalty married to the struggle, Herald, Published: 17 July 2014 , Retrieved: 10 April 2018
