Funeral
19 June 2020
Due to restrictions related to the national state of disaster, numbers are limited and individuals will be invited to attend by the family. The funeral will be live streamed for those who are unable to attend.
Programme:
Welcome
By Debbie Fraser
Good afternoon family and fellow mourners.
On behalf of the Fraser and Pinto family welcome you all near and far to the funeral of our mom, grandmother and great grandmother, sister and aunt. All protocol observed.
We would like to acknowledge our sister Erica and her sons Adam and Liam who reside in the US.
There are members of the family in the Eastern Cape, North West and Gauteng.
I would specially like to acknowledge Nothando, Bradley and Bathandwa, Lyall Terri-Sue and Malachi, Nyameka and Khanyisile. Our moms siblings Aunty Stella, Aunty Shirley, Uncle Mervyn and Aunty Thelma, Aunty Jenny and our cousins who are unable to join us due to the COVID-19 pandemic. We would like to welcome family friends and the broader community who are joining the proceedings via livestream.
It is our wish for the funeral to reflect on our mom’s life through her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, siblings and extended family.
Due to COVID-19 we would try to give our mom a send-off befitting of her as a person who made great sacrifices for her family and her community and the people of this country. She is one of those unsung heroines who did not get the worthy recognition during her lifetime.
I remember one of her recent conversations where mummy asked me randomly “ I only see COVID 19 on the TV what happened to State Capture”. This is one of the funny but serious traits which will be reflected on throughout the service.
We welcome you all as we celebrate her life.
Opening Prayer
Written by Nyameka Mbete, read by Bulumko Mbete
Dear Lord,
We ask that you bless our proceedings today. Holy Spirit we invite you to fill this place. Thank you for sharing your daughter with us Lord. We thank you for the pillar that she was in so many of our lives. Comfort our grieving hearts. We ask that you help us to accept her departure. Lord we give this mighty woman that lies before us over to you and rejoice in the memory of her life, a life well-lived. We ask that the trumpets of heaven ring out the finest of tunes as you welcome her into your holy place. We are comforted by the knowledge that she will watch over us for the rest of our days. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.
Eulogy
Written by Stella Adams
GOOD AFTERNOON FAMILY AND FRIENDS
Today I want to celebrate the life of my sister and friend Cynthy, by sharing with you some moments in our life from young adulthood to old age. I will be brief.
From a young age we shared a dance floor be it at the van ster hall in Eerste River to the lounge in Newlands to a much slower and softer tune. We enjoyed family weekends in Ottery, rummage sales in Grabouw and our unannounced outings to Mamacos – which at times took a detour to Cape Agulhas via Die Dam.
She had a generous heart and loved to share and when at Kalk Bay would buy fish to feed ten persons – despite being on her own. She knew that there would be many to share it with her.
I will draw strength from the good memories I have of times shared with you.
I will always miss you.
Eulogy
By Geraldine Fraser-Moleketi
Eulogy
Presented by Ayanda and Sidney Fraser
Eulogy
By Doctor Allan Boesak
Scripture Reading
Read by Njabulo Mbete
John 11 v 17-27
Jesus Comforts the Sisters of Lazarus
17 On his arrival, Jesus found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb for four days. 18 Now Bethany was less than two miles[a] from Jerusalem, 19 and many Jews had come to Martha and Mary to comfort them in the loss of their brother. 20 When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went out to meet him, but Mary stayed at home.
21 “Lord,” Martha said to Jesus, “if you had been here, my brother would not have died. 22 But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask.”
23 Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.”
24 Martha answered, “I know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.”
25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; 26 and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?”
27 “Yes, Lord,” she replied, “I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, who is to come into the world.”
Sermon
by Reverend Fumba
Obituary
Read by Themba Moleketi
Vote Of Thanks
By Arthur Fraser
Good afternoon fellow mourners,
Today we lay to rest a phenomenal woman - our Mother, Ma Fraser, Mom, sister, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt, comrade, confidant and friend....
It’s clear that the allocated 60 mins (4 mins per person) is an injustice to aptly celebrate the life of Cynthia Fraser….
We (the family) are still discovering the reach and extent of her networks, even now….
Notwithstanding, it is an honour and a privilege to deliver the Vote of Thanks - bear with me, as I have chosen to do it, slightly unconventiontionally...
Firstly, I want to thank you Mom for being the matriarch that you were - to the extended Fraser family and beyond.
Mom was our friend, our confidant, our carer, always concerned and wanting to lessen our burdens….
Life wasn’t always easy for her, but she was never paralysed by those difficult times… I am reminded of the poem by Maya Angelou - that no matter the circumstances…. “Still she would Rise…”
In her latter years she may have found it a lot more difficult to process the stress she experienced when any of her children or grandchildren were confronted with difficulties in any sphere of their lives.
It would be remiss of me not to recognise the role of the Church in Mom’s life. Incidentally, she would have appreciated me taking up the call as man of the cloth and my siblings would vouch that I showed great promise when I was 10 years old.
She was deeply religious and we are especially thankful for the gift of her life, that in turn gave life and meaning to each of ours…
Every facet of her being paid tribute to how fearfully and wonderfully she was shaped - fashioned for a destiny that would demand so much, and she so selflessly gave…
A fierce disciplinarian, with a tender heart and unconditional love - she demanded our best and grounded us in humility and respect…
She had little tolerance for what she perceived to be a lazy or idle mind. I am testimony to just that… Here again, Mom had the canny ability to identify her children’s’ individual potential and hone them accordingly….
That is why she demanded that I develop a strong work ethic at a tender age that was not tied to stature - but rather grounded in strength of character and excellence in even the most menial tasks.
Her love and concern for Our wellbeing never faltered… In fact, even when we met in recent times her primary concern would be - “Are you all okay…?” referring to both siblings and friends….
Zoë had a special place in Granny’s heart and she was very proud and deeply fond of every grandchild and great-grandchild.
Laughter came naturally to Mom, and many of our special moments found expression therein.
She was equally a people’s person who enjoyed the direct and personal interface with her siblings, extended family and friends of all ages. So despite the lockdown frustrations, she found different ways to reach out and connect…
Mom had an interest in current affairs and was especially concern about the impact of COVID on the marginalised and unemployed - “ How will we recover from this Arthur….?”
Mom, you taught us to think differently about the world and its many challenges, you raised us to be fearless and to confront injustice in whatever form we may encounter it. We have to pick up your fallen spear, knowing what is required from us…
The void you left is deep and painful, and still so surreal ……
With this said, she always acknowledged every person that crossed her path and enriched her life’s journey - it impacted not only us as her immediate family, but equally enriched the lives of everyone whose path she crossed….
To the extended Pinto, Braaf and Fraser families, it pains us that so many of you cannot be with us today, as is custom. Thank you for the remarkable role that you played in Mom’s life.
Mom departed at a time when the ready expression of her family’s love and support could not be shared with her as we were accustomed to. Instead, the realities of separation forced her to face her fiercest final battle without the physical presence of her loved ones….
So we want to extend a sincere thanks to the Doctors and Medical Staff that cared for our Mother during and post her surgery. Your compassionate service and care filled the void that we could not.
I acknowledge with thanks and appreciation our extended family and a special group of friends whom Mom had built strong bonds with, over the years - people she knew would be there when she needed them and would not hesitate to provide that support to her.
I must also pause and recognise the countless people with whom Mom worked during her years in the struggle, within the church, community upliftment programmes, and broader society. The friendships she fostered with so many of you, is impossible to mention right now.
Her uncompromising will and determination ensured that each person she met, played a role in her agenda for the greater good.
Her skillful craftsmanship served as a catalyst to foster these relationships and ensure the required outcomes - be it to safeguard Comrades or providing support to uplift the under privileged. She never wavered in her responsibilities and your role therein was by design. Accept our sincere thanks to one and all…
We further recognise with sincere appreciation, the love and dedication of Mom’s care givers over the years. Margaret Ncinane and Maureen Nhlumayo who are here with us today, a special thank you!!
I want take the opportunity to thank you, DR BOESAK for availing yourself as we honour Mom, and for always making time to pray for Mom when she needed you to pray.
Reverend Fumba and the Bellville South Methodist Church, thank you for officiating the service today with warmth and compassion.
Rev. Chris Nissen, our sincere appreciation for your support to the family and your willingness to share your experience with our parents, at this time.
The organist, Brian Lekeur, thank you for the musical accompaniment.
I also wanted to acknowledge the leadership of the ANC for their messages of support and the statement they released.
The Department of Correctional Services and especially the Siem family, thank you for your support to us.
Convergent Partner Investments, thank you for the support to us as a family.
We acknowledge the service of the undertakers and everyone responsible for the funeral arrangements, your hard work and meticulous attention to detail ensured a fitting send off for a phenomenal lady.
To everyone that I have not acknowledged by name, please accept our profound gratitude for the love and support we have received - every call, message and visit has been a great comfort to us.
Finally, to everyone present here today and joining us via live streaming - your overwhelming support, words of comfort, kind gestures and love offerings, continue to be a source of comfort and strength to us.
During one of the last conversions Mom had with me she said: “Arthur I’m already 85, I cannot live forever...”
Thank you.