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Delekile Klaas-Tribute

Bongani dear brother, I sometimes insisted to call you Bongani junior (xa ugeza) , as Bongani More our then Deputy President was Bongani senior. You and your generation took over the leadership of SANSCO from a special  generation of freedom fighters  in the student movement.

I expected you to bury those cdes and be one of the speakers in their funerals thus it is difficult to accept that you are no more. It should be you buying Mcebisi Jonas, Bongani More, Billy Ramakgopa, Lawrence Boya, Munising Banzana, Thandile Gubevu, Chikane Chikane, Tiego Moseneke, James Maseko and their generation. Alas they must bury you. It is your who should be burying our dear brother and leader Linda ‘Richman’ Mti not him burying you. Of all our interactions over the years I can’t help it but think about the conference of SANSCO in December 1989.

 It is the conference where most of us who have been in the student movement through the decade of the eighties left the student movement to assume other responsibilities. 

During that conference there was a leadership deadlock for almost two to three hours. EC and KZN wanted cde Mzukisi as President and Transvaal, FS and WC wanted cde Mike Koyana as president. You and cde KK come to me to mediate. I respectful declined and told you that I worked very closely with both comrades and both refused to decline when we talked to them. You would remind that evertime we meet years later. 

I was talking to your neighbours in CT as you know I am staying in the house your stayed in while you were Regional Commissioner of Correctional Services in the Western Cape. They too say you were are good neighbour and I must convey their condolences. At work I have a generation of managers who were promoted by you. They too asked me to pass their condolences to your family and thank you for being their leader and Commissioner. 

Madiba,  I can’t help it but think of the funeral of cde Mpho in 1in Bloemfontein,  (my home town), 1989, when we went to bury cde Mpho ( who was killed by De Kock in Swazilanda). The militancy of the EC delegation that you were part of cannot be forgetten. Phumla ngoxolo, Madiba, phumla ngoxolo Qabane, phumla ngoxolo Mkhuluwa as I addressed you even though you will always object and say ndayala uguga. Rest in peace Mkhuluwa.

Caleb Tayi
Caleb Tayi
I'm a critical reader and a lover of words. As the ECToday Editor my job is to polish and refine a story or an article, check facts, spelling, grammar, punctuation, etc.
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