I have been scouting for a philosophical definition of a photographer since the passing away of Mr Khaya Qangule, a respected member of our community. A photographer produces and preserves images on film or digitally. The man who has served his purpose only produced on film.
I have been scouting for a philosophical definition of a photographer since the passing away of Mr Khaya Qangule, a respected member of our community. A photographer produces and preserves images on film or digitally. The man who has served his purpose only produced on film.
He knew the power of advertising however, he had a big board mounted at the Nzanzeka family yard. Today that board would have been a digital screen marketing Qangule’s business.
He belonged in the league of our internationally renowned photographer Peter Mngubane. What is regarded as technical proficiency in photography is a league of camera par-excellence. Indeed he had a good eye, imagination and creativity that cannot typically be taught. These are said to be the traits of the best photographers. But one of the best photographers is no more, Gcwanini has ceased to breathe.
I am also reminded of that great evening at River Park in East London during Nafcoc’s social activity, when you danced to Ringo Madlingozi all night long. Enjoying yourself with diet coke, when Ali Adam and Mxolisi Dyibishe implored you to leave with us to Grahamstown, you told us that life was so great and it had to be lived to the full.
Qangule withstood all moments in history or economic evolution, including recessionary times that made many businesses go under or collapse. He was an unsung resilient entrepreneur, a social player made of a sterner stuff.
Also an ardent Methodist, Qangule selflessly made a substantial financial contribution to all the Methodist church buildings that were erected or renovated.
Qangule shared his resources amassed from sweat with the wretched members of his church and community who languished in destitution. For those who could not have immediate access to food Qangule, like any other shop owner and social entrepreneur, extended credit to these people so that they couldn't go to bed hungry until their next salary arrived.
Qangule travels to his resting place being a well-known disciplinarian who has taught his kids what it means to be sophisticated yet humble. Despite the fact that he educated his kids at the best universities they continued to live with him and Mama Nothokozile Esther Qangule in the heart of our beloved Tantyi Location, pursuing their professional careers.
However, what is interesting to note is that after hours and on Saturdays these professionals (Lumka and Thembisani) cease to be in executive outfits, they are in jeans and tracksuits driving trucks and delivering bricks to their father’s customers. Later in the evenings they are behind the counter selling bread, paraffin, etc. to the community of Joza township in Qangule’s shop adjacent to Nombulelo High School.
Who can in his lifetime fail to salute an unsung hero of this description who has injected into his kids durable and robust values like these? Fare thee well, Gcwanini! You did very well as a father, a community entrepreneur, a church steward and a humourist.
In fact, allow me to share with the community of Grahamstown a story that will make people understand that Qangule was a church steward and a humourist. This is a story he narrated in the car on our way to meet Mac Molapo in Port Elizabeth in 2000.
The two of us had sat in front and at the back was Ali Adam, Mxolisi Dyibishe and Sonwabo Koliti. His story was about how he was once in trouble at church for money that had disappeared in the busy hands of one church steward who was meant to go with him and Tata “Da” Faxa. The other steward told him that he had lost the money – an amount of R8 000. Qangule then told us that he had cried for the first time like a baby, not knowing what to report to the reverend at the time.
It is the way that he had narrated the story that made us laugh more than its content.
I now join the Methodist family, the whole congregation in saying “Hamba kakuhle, Gcwanini”, ugqatso ulufezile.
We know better that your departure is a great loss to the Methodist church. Those of us who were lucky to spend time with you as an entrepreneur, we have learnt many lessons from you that have today shaped us into better and more responsible citizens.
* Likhaya Ngqezana is a former Mayor of Grahamstown and writes in his personal capacity.
