At the funeral of Dr Pertunia “Pert” Mathibe, ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula delivered a moving tribute, offering heartfelt condolences to the Matshila, Mathibe, and Maswanganyi families. He described Dr Mathibe as a rare soul whose life work merged science with deep compassion, and whose legacy transcended her profession.
“Your legacy is not in the bodies you shaped, but in the souls you freed,” Mbalula said, capturing the spirit of a woman who believed that beauty was something to be uncovered—not conformed to.
He praised her not only for her medical expertise, but for the hope and confidence she instilled in others. According to Mbalula, her light will continue to shine through the younger generation she inspired—those who will carry forward her mission of healing, truth, and empowerment.
Dr Mathibe’s passing leaves a profound void, but her impact lives on in the lives she touched and the ideals she championed.
