She was a remarkable person – Dr Patricia Gorvalla or Auntie Pat – starting off as a colored woman in Apartheid South Africa as a taxi driver to become one of the most influential people working with there-likes as Nelson Mandela and other struggle heroes.
As a founding member of the HOPE Cape Town Trust and a trustee I was always impressed about her charm, her determination to support those less fortune combined with a clear business attitude. And what made it fascinating for me: She was a real lady in the good old fashion sense of the word. Her skills to host visitors put one back in the good old ’30’s – but in an unforgettable charming way.
Even if she could not make it to the board meetings in the last year, her spirit was always with us – and now, after she has died I am grateful to have known her. And I will miss her, her humor and the way, she could graciously flirt with a priest :-). It was always fun and lots of laughter.
Auntie Pat, rest in peace – or better: live in peace and watch us from above or where ever heaven is…
Filed under: General, HOPE Cape Town Trust, Uncategorized, Africa, Apartheid in South Africa, Auntie Pat, Dr Patricia Gorvalla, HOPE Cape Town Trust, nelson mandela, Pat Gorvalla, Provinces, remarkable person, south africa, taxi driver, western cape
God, AIDS, Africa & HOPE 