gay community mourns peter mohlahledi’s death

By Jabulani Dube (BTM Fellow)

SOUTH AFRICA – 02 December 2008:  Just days before the world commemorated World Aids Day on 1 December, the gay community lost another “brother” who had been very proactive in the struggle for recognition of gay people in this country.

Peter Mohlahledi passed away on Thursday 27 November at Milpark Hospital after a short HIV related illness.

Mohlahledi is remembered as an active member of Hope and Unity Metropolitan Community Church (HUMCC), also board member of the church.

He was also proactive in his activist work with an organisation called Gays and Lesbians of Witwatersrand (GLOW), SOHACA, the Youth Commission and the National Coalition for Gay and Lesbian Equality.

He also worked for the departments of agriculture and sports.

According to Reverend Nokuthula Dlhadla of HUMCC Mohlahledi strived to make this world a better place for all and has pushed the boundaries in his life.

“He has been in and out of hospital and we were hoping that he would recover. We sadly lost him”, Dlhadla said grieving.

Mohlahledi is said to have lived joyously with a sense of purpose in life and has touched many people’s lives.  

He was one of the initial members of the (GLOW) serving the gay community with Thulani Mhlongo and the late Simon Nkoli.  During the 90s Mohlahledi was elected GLOW’s chairperson. 

He will be laid to rest on Saturday the December 6, 2008 in Sebokeng.

May his soul rest in Peace!

For further information contact: Rev. Paul Mokgethi-Heath
(Director of Administration) Hope and Unity MCC
Mobile: 082- 928- 0062
Tel. + 27. 11. 717-4239 (Work).