SOUTH African President Thabo Mbeki and veterans from the country’s anti-apartheid movement paid their last respects to June Mlangeni, a key figure in the country’s long fight against racism, on Saturday. Over 2 000 people turned out for the funeral in the Soweto township, to honour Mlangeni, who died on May 24 at the age of 78. “Ma” Mlangeni, as she was known, was the wife of Andrew Mlangeni, who was imprisoned for 27 years with former president Nelson Mandela on Robben Island under the country’s apartheid regime. ANC member Bob Mabaso paid tribute to her, saying, “Ma Mlangeni had grown to be the mother of the nation.” – AFP