About
Aunt Laura Mpahlwa
Laura Gugulethu Mpahlwa (née Msimang) was a well-known businesswoman, recognised nationally by Black Business Pioneers, a community builder and a stalwart of the Eastern Cape community, in Mthatha, who served in various sectors ranging from education, public health, rural development, business and academia, to mention a few. Affectionately known as Aunt Laura, she was a true luminary who touched the lives of countless individuals and communities through her wavering commitment to social progress and community well-being.
Aunt Laura spent the majority of her adult life in Mthatha, where she became a symbol of compassion, service, and community building. Born on 31 March 1929 in Doornfontein, Johannesburg, her journey was marked by a deep understanding of the challenges faced by those living in difficult circumstances, as she herself had grown up under similar conditions.
In the early 1950s, Aunt Laura moved to Mthatha in pursuit of her lifelong dream of becoming a nurse. Over the years, she carved a distinguished path as a healthcare giver, a pioneering figure in black business and a catalyst for community development. Aunt Laura’s life’s work was dedicated to those who needed it most—the needy, the disabled, former prisoners, returning exiles, pensioners, street kids, and countless others.
Having begun her involvement in black business advocacy in the 1960’s and providing mentorship to a number of successful black entrepreneurs, Aunt Laura was regarded as a stalwart of the business community. Together with her late husband, Maxwell Mpahlwa, they were cardinal pillars of the then Transkei Chamber of Commerce, an affiliate of the National African Federated Chamber of Commerce & Industry (NAFCOC).
Her legacy is one of relentless advocacy and empowerment, as she championed the establishment of various institutions in and around Mthatha and beyond, touching the lives of countless individuals and communities in the process.
She was awarded an Honorary Doctorate in Primary Healthcare by the Walter Sisulu University in 2000 in recognition of her contribution in the Healthcare sector, including her selflessness and dedication to the upliftment of communities.
In honour of her various achievements as a pioneer of black business, a veteran in the healthcare profession, and her contribution towards freedom and democracy, Dr. Laura Mpahlwa was awarded posthumously the National Order of Luthuli in Silver by H.E. President Cyril Ramaphosa in 2021.