SONARA joins Mokates to give Tapita befitting farewell

The mortal remains of Madam Tapita Etonde Mokate, sister to CPDM Central Committee member and the former Mayor of Limbe III, Samuel Esebou Mokate were last Saturday January 10, laid to rest at the Limbe New Town Cemetery.

The funeral ceremony was attended in person by the General Manager of the National Oil Refining Company, SONARA, Ibrahim Talba Malla, amongst other personalities.

According to SONARA officials, her death is a big loss to the company and definitely to her family.

The convoy was long; friends, colleagues, family members and sympathisers were in their hundreds.

Speaking during the heavily attended funeral service at the Presbyterian Church Mighty Beach Congregation, and drawing inspiration from Matthew 24: 36-44 and Job 14: 1-6, the officiating minister, Rev. Ekum Manfred called on all to live a decent life and trust in God who is the author and finisher of our faith.

Titling his sermon where to go from here, the Pastor said the world has become a very uncomfortable place to live because of oppression, disease and poverty and that it was better to seek solace in God’s kingdom. And that is what Tapita has done.

The Reverend Mary Sally Ekinde recounts how good fearing the fallen Christian Women Fellowship member had been even till her last days on earth.

The Brother, Samuel Esebou Mokate was so touched and said “The reality of life can be so cruel, a precious one has gone. A voice we love is still. A place is vacant in our hearts while no one else can fill”.

Her sisters, Theckla, Ponge and Rose Mokate recalled how they used to spend time together, laughing during good times and crying during bad ones.

As the corpse was moved to the Cemetery for burial, the wailing took another twist as mourners could hardly believe that it was time for commendation. At the grave the clergy did their last burial rites in the presence of close family members.

Bio Data

Late Tapita Eonde Mokate was born on February 16 1962 and attended Government School Buea Town where she obtained a First School Leaving Certificate in 1974.

She later enrolled in to a correspondence course in London where she obtained a Diploma in Typewriting- Elementary. From 1980 to 1981, she worked with Renault Branch Company and in 1983, she gained employment it SONARA.

After occupying several positions, she was promoted to the post of Assistant Secretary to the General Manager, a position she held till her last days. Politically she joined the CPDM and quickly advanced to the position of WCPDM Branch President.

In 2007, she was part of the campaign team and later became councillor in Limbe III.

In 2009, she was designated Senior Councillor to the Limbe City Council and in 2013 she took off duty as Charge de Mission for Limbe III during the municipal and legislative elections.

She leaves behind four children, three sisters, two brothers and a host of family members and friends to mourn her.