Combined Volumes Isihloko 613 - “Ibizo leli lingakhohlakali kalaziwe ngozajabula ngokuzuza into enhle ngaMandla alapha eGuta Ra Mwari.”
History remembers those who dared to act, those whose choices rippled beyond their time. To illustrate this, let us recall two men whose legacies shaped generations. The first is Pixley Ka Isaka Seme, born in 1881. At a young age, he travelled to the United States of America where he studied law. When he returned to South Africa, he was disheartened by the injustices of the system and the destructive infighting between African ethnic groups. Out of his vision and determination, a movement was born; one that sought
unity and justice.
The second is John Langa Libalele Dube, who also journeyed to the United States, where exposure to political and philosophical thought inspired him to build a school back home. His mission was education, enlightenment, and empowerment. These two men’s paths crossed, and together they would become instrumental in founding what we now know as the African National Congress (ANC). The domino effect of their works stretched beyond their lifetimes, reaching as far as Zimbabwe. Their influence helped shape the history that led to freedom in 1980 in Zimbabwe and in 1994 in South Africa.
It was in these victories that the teaching “akula litshe elizasala lihlezi phezu kwelinye ilitshe” (no stone remains resting on another forever) was fulfilled—the old oppressive order was overturned, and the foundations laid generations before finally bore fruit. Forgetting them would be dangerous, for it would erase the foundations of our victories and the truth that the journey of a million miles begins with a step. But we must ask ourselves this: what about our heroines? What about the women who modeled strength, sacrifice, and love—the very heartbeat of the home, the community, and the nation?
This brings us to the heroine Laiza Tayali, a woman whose life was itself a story of resilience, courage, and devotion. The Story of Laiza Tayali This year, 2025, is a year of double remembrance: it marks 100 years since the birth of Heroine Laiza Tayali in 1925, and 50 years since her departure in 1975. Her final resting place is on the sacred mountain of Gurure in Nyazura, a site that stands as both a spiritual and historical beacon.
Heroine Laiza Tayali was more than a mother, more than a community pillar—she was a heroine whose life embodied the values of perseverance, compassion, and unwavering faith. In her presence, the words “uMama yinhliziyo yomuzi” found their truest meaning. She carried burdens, provided wisdom, and modeled strength for all who came after her. When others faced storms, she became the calm. When communities faced hardship, she became the pillar. And when her family needed hope, she became the song of courage. Her story is one of sacrifice, not for recognition, but because love compelled her to stand tall.
Even through deep trials — from being poisoned to losing a child — she remained faithful to God, living out the words: “othembele Kimi ngilaye izikhathi zonke.” Her faith was not shaken. Instead, it became a living testimony, showing us how strength is not in avoiding
pain but in standing firm through it.
Why She Must Be Remembered
As we remember Seme and Dube for their role in creating foundations of freedom, we must also immortalize heroine Laiza Tayali for the way she modeled love, strength, and courage in everyday life. Forgetting her would mean forgetting the women whose lives built homes,
raised generations, and carried nations forward. Her legacy must be preserved in every form—through storytelling, poetry, visual art, and
melodies that echo her values of love, strength, courage, and peace. When someone tells you “qina butho”, let it remind you that its meaning has already been modeled through her life. This is why her story must be told, retold, and sung across generations.
The Immortal Legacy
Heroine Laiza Tayali’s life reminds us that heroes are not only those who lead political movements, but also those who quietly shape lives through love and sacrifice. Just as the foundations of freedom were laid long before independence, her example laid the foundation
for strength in the home, in the community, and in the generations that followed. Let it never be forgotten. Let her name be spoken by those yet to be born. Let her story live on as an eternal source of inspiration.
“Ibizo leli lingakhohlakali kalaziwe ngozajabula ngokuzuza into enhle ngaMandla alapha eGuta Ra Mwari.”
Ngokungapheliyo.