Grahamstown ANC members celebrated the lives of two of their members who passed away just before the party launched its election manifesto in Port Elizabeth last weekend.
Grahamstown ANC members celebrated the lives of two of their members who passed away just before the party launched its election manifesto in Port Elizabeth last weekend.
The memorial services of local ANC stalwart Grace Nzuzo and young leader Siphiwo 'Shakes' Shoba were held on Wednesday and Thursday this week.
Scores of local ANC supporters converged at the Tantyi community hall on Wednesday to pay their last respects to Nzuzo, who died on Wednesday last week.
The keynote speaker was Grahamstown high court advocate Ntsikelelo Sandi.
Sandi told the gathering that Nzuzo had been a straightforward person.
"We would sit in meetings sometimes until the early hours of the morning discussing things and she would always speak her mind," he said. Throughout the service, various speakers pointed out the fact that Nzuzo had been an outspoken member of the party.
ANC sub-regional chairperson Mabhuti Matyumza, who was the programme director during Nzuzo's memorial service, said it was very important to celebrate the lives of leaders such as Nzuzo so that their contributions and lives are never forgotten. Matyumza said the party was very proud to have had a leader such her.
"She [Nzuzo] produced a lot of leaders in Makana and we are very proud of that," he said.
Nzuzo's memorial service was celebrated in typical ANC style, with struggle songs reverberating around the packed hall.
Nosipho Kulati, who spoke on behalf of the ANC Women's League, told the gathering that she had grown up in the organisation under the leadership of Nzuzo.
She said back in those days there used to be a great deal of respect among members of the ANC.
"There was respect in the movement back then. We respected our elders," she said.
Kulati said Nzuzo had spent time in prison for the organisation for her efforts in fighting against the apartheid regime.
"She worked hard for the movement without benefits," she said, adding that these days people work for the organisation in anticipation of what they can personally gain out of it.
Kulati said Nzuzo died a loyal member of the ANC.
"She never held a leadership position in the ANC, but she never left the ANC. As we go to the elections, we know that her vote would not go anywhere but to the ANC."
Zanky Mahlahla, of the ANC Women's League, who introduced the keynote speaker said, "She [Nzuzo] did not want anyone to speak in corners. She wanted people to voice their opinions freely," Mahlahla said.
Social media was abuzz this week with ANC members posting their shock and anger at the murder of Shoba in the early hours of Saturday morning.
Shoba was stabbed to death by robbers last weekend.
His memorial service was held in Noluthando Hall yesterday. The keynote speaker was Sarah Baartman regional secretary Scara Njadayi.
In a tribute sent to Grocott's Mail, SAMWU National Collective Bargaining Office member Chumani Gqeke said the death of Shoba was too much to believe and accept.
Gqeke said Shoba's brutal killing was the reason the community of Grahamstown needed to stand together united to fight crime.
"Here lies the body of a young man who was among many young people from Grahamstown who went to school and acquired knowledge and expertise for the development of the community," he said.
Gqeke said the news of Shoba's death couldn't have come at a worse time.
"On the morning of 16 April 2016 many of us we were preparing to attend the ANC manifesto launch in Port Elizabeth. Instead we received endless calls and text massages informing us of the sad news that comrade Shoba has been attacked and brutally killed by criminals in Grahamstown."
ANC sub-regional secretary Andile Hoyi said Njadayi had told the packed Noluthando community hall that Shoba exemplified the type of leadership the ANC needed.
Hoyi said growing crime incidents in Makana were a concern among all speakers during the programme.
Hoyi said Shoba had two degrees, but he died unemployed.
"When I spoke representing the Youth League, we had a call to say indeed it's time for us as the young people of Makana to close ranks and ensure that we advance the call for economic freedom – not for comrades, but for young people of Makana. It's very painful to have people like comrade Shoba die without accessing opportunities in Makana," he said.
anele@grocotts.co.za
