"Comrade Moneli, there is no one like him," sang the members of the South African Municipal Workers Union (Samwu) as they paid their last respects to their comrade, Nzwana Moneli, at City Hall on Thursday.
"Comrade Moneli, there is no one like him," sang the members of the South African Municipal Workers Union (Samwu) as they paid their last respects to their comrade, Nzwana Moneli, at City Hall on Thursday.
Stamping their feet while singing union songs, the Samwu members marched for a man they referred to as "a fallen hero". Moneli was Samwu’s deputy chairperson and was a shop steward (union representative). He was also employed as a technician at Makana Municipality and his colleagues say they will deeply miss a "stalwart." He succumbed to his death after a short illness. One of his colleagues, Popsie Ndolo, recalled his days when he used to work with Moneli. "He was always there for his colleagues when things went wrong," said Ndolo. Moneli’s supervisor, Graeme Samuels, says he learned a lot from him as he was a "qualified mechanic who always wanted to go forward in life."
"Long live Moneli, long live!," the crowd cheered as they raised their fists to pay tribute to a friend, a father, a husband, unifier and a fellow comrade. South African Communist Party’s (SACP) secretary, Paul Julius, said Moneli practised solidarity and that he focused on outsourcing corruption. "He was a special type of lawyer because he always defended the workers," says Julius. Members continued to sing and march as their support comforted the hearts of his griefly-stricken family. Moneli’s elder brother, Siphiwo said "The family appreciates the support offered by the unions and the municipality." Also present at the memorial service was Makana Mayor, Vumile Lwana and Municipal Manager, Ntombi Baart who consoled the family during this trying time. Baart said the municipality has lost a dedicated worker who always wanted things to be dealt with in a dignified manner. Moneli leaves behind his mother, Nozimasile, his wife Mampandla and his three children, Nomaxabiso, Athini and Bongikhaya. The funeral and church service will take place at the Orthodox Church in Extension 7. Referring to him as ‘umkhonto wesizwe’ (spear of the nation), his colleagues and comrades said he has left a big gap in their lives.
