Phumelela Express is one of the Agency's funded projects, which is circulated in Phumelela Local Municipality, Thabo Mofutsanyane District Municipality in the Free State Province. Queen is also part of the MDDA family in our quest to bring information to the previously disadvantaged communities, in their own languages and diversify the media landscape in SA. Queen approached MDDA for funding in March 2006, and based on the presentation of her ideas and vision to uplift her community through information, the MDDA Board approved her grant fund for to purchase equipment, rent, printing and distribution. Unfortunately, towards the end of 2008, the project could not print as regular as it was supposed due to the economic conditions prevailing in the area and the drastically escalating printing costs. In 2009, the MDDA further supported Phumelele Express from the Agency's sustainability fund. During the time of her passing she was in a process of reporting and accounting, in order to access the remaining funds.
Her ultimate dream was to see the Free State Eyes grow its readership and circulation to cover the entire Free State Province. In celebrating the life of Queen, the MDDA would like to urge the community of Phumelela to continue to work hard and always remember the work that Queen initiated for this community. The Agency will liaise, advise and work with the remaining members of the project in order to find ways and means on how to carry on with the spear. We can truly say that South Africa, the Free State Province, Thabo Mofutsanyane District Municipality and the media fraternity has lost one of its born and bred pioneers of the struggle for access to information by all, freedom of expression for all and media freedom. Queen deserves to be honoured for her contribution towards striving and promoting access to information, awareness and excellence in a quest for the development of the Phumelela Municipality and its surrounding communities.
Queen leaves behind both parents, her mother and father, her brother, daughter (10 years old) and a son who will be turning two years on the 28th October. The funeral will be held at her home, Vrede, on Saturday the 9th October 2010. May her soul rest in peace. Lala ngoxolo, Nkosazana, ngenene isitye esihle asidleli, sohlala sikukhumbula.
