Karabo Ntanzi
On Saturday, 20 January 2024, mourners gathered at the Galeshewe Recreation Hall to bid farewell to David Tebogo Maloka, an Evangelist from the Jericho Uniting Congregation Church (JUCC).
Mourners included clergies from various denominations ranging from archbishops to ordinary church members.
Maloka was praised for his singing talent and for serving God diligently. Described as a jolly fellow who didn’t stay angry for long, he was also a member of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) who regularly paid his membership fee.
At the time of his death, he was employed by the Sol Plaatje Municipality as a Messenger for the Housing Department. According to Simon Mothelesi, his supervisor, Maloka had the challenge of often staying away from work. “He was a hard worker. I often reprimanded him, but given his personality, Maloka would smile,” stated Mothelesi.
Emotions went high when Itumelng Maloka, his firstborn son, pledged to take the baton from where his father left. He remembered his father’s chilling words. “You will understand when you grow up. I want you to be a better person than myself,” uttered Itumeleng. He promised to care, love, protect, and be patient with the family, especially the twin sisters Tsheki and Ntshekisang. “Our father was very strict with us. I didn’t like attending church when I was younger, but he made it mandatory, saying, ‘You will not eat in my house if you don’t attend church’. Itumeleng told mourners that the day before the funeral (19 January) was his parents’ 20th wedding anniversary.
Arch Bishop Matlabe from JUCC said he used to warn the deceased not to play with his job and his excessive drinking, but he wouldn’t heed the advice. He told mourners that the Malokas’ were staunch Christians who were originally from the Wesley Methodist Church.
David Maloka leaves behind his wife Lerato (nee Alexander), three children, five sisters and two brothers.
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