By Dr Rudzani Nemutudi
One of the finest Science and Mathematics educators ever to emerge from Thengwe village in Limpopo, Mmboniseni Enos Nethengwe, bowed out of this world on 01 November 2025. A steadfast adherent of the Black Consciousness philosophy, he waged a long and courageous battle against a congenital diabetic condition that ultimately led to a stroke and paralysis.
The extraordinary length and intensity of his struggle left even the most eloquent among us at a loss for words. Even in his final days at a Tshwane hospital, when speech failed him, he refused to be silenced, carrying with him a pen and board to communicate through writing.
It was as though he drew his final strength from the timeless words of Jamaican-born poet Claude McKay in If We Must Die (1919):
“If we must die, let it not be like hogs,
Hunted and penned in an inglorious spot…
Like men we will face the murderous, cowardly pack,
Pressed to the wall, dying, but fighting back!”
True to McKay’s spirit, Nethengwe fought bravely until his body could no longer sustain the fight.
For those that were fortunate enough to experience his profound intellect, humility, and courage, his unwavering spirit was a living reflection of dignity, resilience, and excellence. A masterful teacher with a rare gift for simplifying complex scientific and mathematical concepts, his passing leaves a deep void within South Africa’s Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education community.
Born into the royal family of Thengwe La Vhatavhatsindi, Nethengwe distinguished himself early as an exceptional student at Robert Mmbulungeni Secondary School. His academic curiosity was boundless, initially drawn to the humanities, he later shifted to the natural sciences, enrolling for a Bachelor of Science (BSc) degree at the University of Venda (UNIVEN) in 1988.
Undeterred by his lack of formal background in the natural sciences, he boldly chose Physics and Mathematics as his majors, subjects dreaded even by seasoned science students. Yet, he excelled remarkably, conquering the “Big Four” (Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, and Biology) with distinction. He later completed a University Education Diploma (UED), motivated by a deep love for teaching.
Before entering university, he had already begun shaping young minds as a teacher at Luvhone Primary School and Robert Mmbulungeni Secondary School.
After completing his studies, Nethengwe returned home to “pay his dues,” teaching Science and Mathematics at Thengwe Secondary School. He later also taught at Duthuni Secondary School, dedicating his time, often without remuneration to nurturing young learners’ potential.
His peers fondly dubbed him “The Teacher’s Teacher” for his ability to teach both students and fellow educators. Long before weekend and extra classes became a paid practice, he selflessly volunteered his time, driven purely by love for his community and a belief in education as liberation.
One of his former learners, Professor Gundo Maswime, now a Civil Engineering academic at the University of Cape Town, recalls:
“Before Grade 12, I spent many days at his house in November and December. He would teach me Mathematics and Physics for hours. Those lessons changed my life. I was able to thank him years later, even when illness had already taken its toll.”
Another contemporary, Peter Mukwevho, recounted how the two would travel to the University of Venda to prepare learners for the Young Scientists Expo, where their students often triumphed at national level competitions.
Beyond the classroom, Nethengwe was also a talented soccer player. As a midfielder for Thengwe Flying Peace, he earned the nickname “Chief” not only for his royal lineage but also for his commanding skill on the pitch. His technical prowess and sportsmanship made him a local legend.
Dedication, honesty, and an unyielding commitment to fairness defined Nethengwe’s character. He possessed an almost spiritual persistence in understanding both natural and social phenomena, insisting on breaking every complex idea down to its simplest form. He lived harmoniously with nature and people alike, embodying the values he so often taught.
“I first met Nethengwe in 1988, during our first year at the University of Venda. We bonded instantly through our shared belief in the Black Consciousness (BC) philosophy, inspired by Steve Bantu Biko. For Nethengwe, BC was not just a political stance but a way of life, an intellectual and moral compass that sought to restore dignity, confidence, and collective pride among Black people.”
He was a founding member of the Azanian Students Movement (AZASM) at UNIVEN and later served as Branch Secretary for the Azanian Students Convention (AZASCO), where his organisational skills and clarity of thought strengthened BC structures on campus.
He represented UNIVEN at the 1990 Medunsa Congress, where AZASCO was formally launched as a tertiary BC structure. Through his intellect and persuasion, AZASCO established a formidable presence in the university’s Student Representative Council (SRC).
For Nethengwe, ideas backed by action were the engines of social change. He believed it was not about how many halls one could fill with people, but how many minds one could fill with truth and knowledge.
Nethengwe didn’t just preach communalism; he practiced it. Guided by the African ethos of shared humanity, he believed that what he had belonged to the community, and what they had was his as well. His free weekend lessons and his dedication to mentorship were living examples of this belief.
Even as illness overtook his body, his activism remained undimmed. As a lifelong member of the Azanian People’s Organisation (AZAPO), he was among those who travelled nearly 200 kilometres to Polokwane to protest against the looting of the VBS Bank, a final act of principle from a man whose convictions never wavered.
To have known Mmboniseni Enos Nethengwe was to witness the best of humanity: intellect coupled with humility, courage tempered by compassion. He was a teacher, thinker, activist, and athlete, a man who lived and died in pursuit of justice, truth, and knowledge.
He was proud to call himself a citizen of Azania, and in doing so, reminded us of the greater ideals that transcend borders and politics. His legacy endures in every learner he taught, every idea he nurtured, and every life he touched. Go in peace, Comrade Enos. You taught us more than words can capture. Even as disease pressed you to the wall, you lived and died with honour, “pressed to the wall, dying, but fighting back.”
Tuwai Nga Mulalo, Mutavhatsindi wa Thengwe.
Mmboniseni Enos Nethengwe
Born: 30 July 1967, Thengwe, Venda (Limpopo, South Africa)
Died: 1 November 2025, Pretoria
Memorial Service: Friday, 7 November 2025, 14:00, Thengwe Village
Burial: Saturday, 8 November 2025, Thengwe Village
About the Author
Dr Rudzani Nemutudi holds a PhD in Semiconductor Physics from the University of Cambridge (UK). He is the Deputy Director at the National Research Foundation
(NRF) iThemba Laboratories in Cape Town and serves as the Associate Secretary-General of the International Union of Pure and Applied Physics (IUPAP).
Issued by:
Department of Marketing, Branding & Communication
University Of Venda
Tel: 082 868 2218 / 082 868 1811
Date: 07 November 2025
