GEORGE NEWS - Orna Mintoor, a formidable human rights and trade union activist, lost her long battle against cancer on Thursday 25 March. She passed away according to her wish in her home in Pacaltsdorp.
Orna was born in Great Brak River. The family moved to Cape Town for a few years but returned to George while she was still in primary school.
After her high school career at George High, she worked at Checkers before moving on to the Thembalethu Local Authority in 1986. Thembalethu and Pacaltsdorp were amalgamated with the George Municipality in 1994.
Her passion was to inspire and uplift the members of her community. She was a founder member of Build a Better Society (Babs), whose aim was to provide community services to enable individuals to become more independent. Politically she was aligned to the ANC and Samwu (South African Municipal Workers Union) as well as the Pacaltsdorp Police Forum.
Orna's eldest son Nigel said, "My mother leaves behind a larger than life legacy, an inspiration to all who knew her. When she was diagnosed with cancer the doctor said she has about a month left. My mother said, 'I am not going to die from cancer; cancer isn't here to take over my body'. My mother's mindset was so positive that she was with us for another three years."
Her daughter Wendy said Orna was deeply religious in her own special way. "My mother was a very strict person, insisting on a certain standard at home and at work. She was very compassionate and concerned about the welfare of her fellow men and women." Orna was unconventional and ahead of her time.
She leaves behind her children Nigel and Wendy, siblings Elize, Ferdinand and Melda and six grandchildren.
The funeral will take place at 09:00 on Thursday 1 April at the Congregational Church Pacaltsdorp. Due to Covid-19 regulations, attendance is by notification only. The funeral will be live-streamed.
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