Honouring the Life and Legacy of Lady Minister: Geli Naomi Sons
A Memorial Tribute to a Spiritual Matriarch
This memorial website is dedicated to celebrating the extraordinary life, unwavering faith, and enduring legacy of Koko Geli Naomi Sons; a beloved church leader, spiritual mother, and community pillar. Through this digital space, we honour her lifetime of service to the St. John’s Apostolic Faith Mission and her deep commitment to nurturing both the spiritual and personal growth of those she led.
Here you will find cherished memories, tributes, photographs, and stories that reflect her compassionate heart, wise leadership, and lasting impact on generations. It is a space where family, friends, and congregants can come together to remember, to grieve, and most importantly, to give thanks for a life beautifully lived and a legacy that will continue to inspire.
The Matriarch of Faith and Legacy Keeper
Our beloved, Geli Naomi Sons, was born on 15 September 1936 in Petronella, a rural district in the Wallmansthal area north of Pretoria, South Africa; a region that bore witness to both the turbulence and resilience of Black South Africans during the early 20th century. She was born into a lineage of powerful matriarchs and spiritual leaders.
Her mother, Lady Bishop Dr. Selina Tryphosa Chauke, affectionately known by all as “Koko,” was a formidable figure in the religious landscape, widely respected for her divine calling and apostolic leadership within the St. John’s Apostolic Faith Mission.
Koko Geli was the only daughter of this remarkable woman and the eldest granddaughter of Koko Bertha and Ntate Alpheus Chauke, a family whose name became synonymous with spiritual authority, moral instruction, and community service in the region. The family legacy was not just carried in titles, but in the values instilled: faith, resilience, service, and the nurturing of others.
In her private life, Koko Geli, as she would later be lovingly called, was the mother of one son, the late Alpheus Matlhomola Chauke, and grandmother to Abram Lucky Chauke, who would become her pride and joy in her later years. Her love extended far beyond her biological family; she was a mother, grandmother, and guide to many whom she cared for, fed, clothed, and mentored — sometimes without them ever needing to ask.
Though steeped in spiritual tradition, Koko Geli also made her mark in the world of entrepreneurship. She held various positions over the course of a dynamic business career, eventually retiring while working with Nutri Stahl, a health and cookware brand known for promoting nutritional wellness. Through her entrepreneurial acumen, she empowered many (particularly women) to pursue business ventures of their own. She didn’t hoard opportunity; she created it.
In an era when Black women faced social, legal, and financial barriers, Koko Geli carved out a path that defied limitation. Her business dealings were more than profit-oriented, they were community-oriented. She taught by example and uplifted those who had the humility to learn from her.
Koko Geli’s spiritual journey was inseparable from her upbringing. From a young age, she walked alongside her mother to church gatherings, revivals, and seminars, forging a deep and unbreakable spiritual bond that would come to define her life’s purpose. She trained diligently within various circuits of the St. John’s Apostolic Faith Mission, including those of Rev. Ratefane, Mispa, and Katlehong, immersing herself in doctrine, worship leadership, and church administration.
During this formative time, she also served as a caregiver to the late Archbishop P.J. Masango and his family; a sacred responsibility she embraced with humility, grace, and unwavering dedication.
From her very first day of service, she was appointed as the Senior Police of the Brass Band, a role that blended strong leadership with a deep commitment to discipline. Known for her firm standards and impeccable attention to detail, she ensured every band member upheld punctuality, respect, and proper conduct. Her exceptional musical ear helped refine the band’s sound, while her unwavering guidance instilled a culture of order, reverence, and excellence that endured long after her tenure.
What many people may not know is that Koko Geli played a pivotal role in the spiritual path of her own mother, Koko Selina. When Koko Selina fell ill, it was Koko Geli who took her to Baba Masango for prayer. After praying over her, Baba Masango released Koko Selina to return home, but Koko Geli firmly insisted that her mother remain under the care of the man of God. She revealed something remarkable: her mother had seen the image of Baba Masango inside her eyelashes. That moment, grounded in faith and spiritual conviction, became the turning point not just for Koko Selina’s life, but for generations to come.
Koko Geli never sought recognition or applause for her sacrifices. Quietly, faithfully, she contributed behind the scenes. For instance, it was she who purchased Koko Selina’s very first Bible and the dondolo (staff) that would later become her iconic symbol as she ministered to the people of Lady Selborne. These are just a few of the many selfless acts that marked Koko Geli’s life; acts of love, faith, and service that she gave freely, expecting nothing in return.
When her mother, Koko Selina, passed in 2007, the mantle of leadership did not simply fall upon her shoulders, she stepped into it with conviction. As the spiritual climate shifted, many feared a void would be left in the absence of the Lady Bishop. Instead, Koko Geli became the beacon of continuity, vision, and hope for the Mabopane-Mhinga congregation.
Her leadership was not limited to one church. She provided oversight and spiritual care to multiple circuits and sub-circuits across South Africa, fostering unity and collaboration within the wider St. John’s Apostolic Faith Mission. She did not view the church as a static building but as a living, breathing body in constant need of growth, discipline, and care.
One of her greatest dreams was to expand the church, both structurally and spiritually, in order to honour and uphold her mother’s legacy.
The journey was not without setbacks, delays, and opposition, but Koko Geli pressed on. Her persistence bore fruit: on 11 February 2024, the new church extension was officially blessed, drawing a multitude of congregants who bore witness to her faithfulness and commitment.
Koko Geli never stopped caring. She spent her December holidays at Mhinga, not in leisure, but in mentorship and fellowship with the congregation. Her love was not idle; it was active, intentional, and enduring.
To those who knew her, she was a fountain of kindness, humour, and strength. She could correct with love and embrace with firmness. She was deeply respected for her wisdom, adored for her wit, and remembered for the way she made everyone feel seen.
When she passed in 2024, a profound silence fell over her family and congregation. But it was not a silence of despair, it was a silence of reverence.
She left behind her grandson Tatana Lucky Chauke, great-grandchildren, extended family, and an entire church family across the country.
She also left something deeper: a legacy of faith, integrity, leadership, and hard work. She taught her people how to stand firm in truth, labour for purpose, and keep their eyes fixed on God.
Etlela hi kurhula, ntukulu wa va-hlengwe, vadyi va tihumba, xikovela xa mantsena — xo kangangatela a ribyeni Bangwane.
wrote on September 21, 2025
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