Keynote address by ANC NEC member and COGTA Deputy Minister Dr Namane Dickson Masemola at the memorial lecture of cde Mampogwane Peter Nchabeleng on the 11th of April 2025 at Mamelodi Council Chamber, 18h00, in Tshwane Region, Gauteng Province.
Programme Director: Zonal Chairperson: Cde Philip Shabalala
Deputy Chairperson of the REC: Cde Boshielo and REC Members present
BEC Chairperson: Cde Saul Ratau and BEC Members
Leaders of Royalty: Mr Phala and Mr Mbete and Prince Maserumule
Leaders of SACP, COSATU , SANCO
Leaders of ANCVL, ANCWL and ANCYL
Titi Mthejane: Former Roben Islander
Leaders of MKLWV, Commanders and Commissars of MK
Leaders of the ANC Branches
Cde Mpho Nchabeleng: Monare ‘a Monare and your daughters
Cde Saul Molobi: Your Excellency, Former Consul-General
Comrades and Compatriots
Activists of the ANC and Alliance
Greetings to you all
1.INTRODUCTION
Let me heartily appreciate the invitation to join you, in the celebration of the life and times of the Great Lion of the North, a father, a grandfather, brother, a freedom fighter and revolutionary, a comrade and complex cadre of the movement – the late Cde Mampogoane Peter Nchabeleng.
This evening, I am here on behalf of the National Executive Committee of the African National Congress, to commemorate with you and the family, a life lived extraordinarily in the struggle for liberation and freedom, democracy and justice.
At this point there is no any other place I could have been except at this gathering tonight.
To honour an invitation from the structures of the organisation, for this important programme.
I humbly appreciate the endorsement for me to be here by the family.
There are many leaders of the movement who could have been invited to come and officiate this historic moment, but you chose me, hence I don’t take it for granted.
We are honouring today the great revolutionary soul that has transitioned into celestial life, whose domicile is the holy place. The place of comfort and everlasting peace.
As such, it’s with a sense of inspiration and reverence that we are gathered here tonight to show our respect, love and appreciation of the late Peter Mampogwane Nchabeleng.
I will come back to this as I proceed.
2. BOOK LAUNCH:
Comrades, we are meeting here today a few weeks after the launch of the book that dives deep into the life and times of “The Lion of the North: Peter Nchabeleng, his family and the national liberation struggle in South Africa”, on Thursday, 13 March 2025 in Polokwane, Limpopo.
This extraordinary memoir written by Cde Mpho Nchabeleng, the son of our hero, presents a unique opportunity for all and sundry to read and learn more about this revolutionary par excellence and the struggle for freedom.
The publisher Cde Saul Molobi’s work is also highly appreciated for working with you to publish this book that you wrote.
The book honours the life, legacy and the indomitable Cde Mampogwane Peter Nchabeleng, who did not dishonour his people by being on the wrong side of history but was in the leadership of the struggle for liberation and in fact a commander of the glorious army of Mkhonto We Size.
The majority of those who attended the book launch concluded that, the event surpassed their expectations and was a political platform of remembrance and of rekindling their belief in the African National Congress.
That it was a platform, of shaping and strengthening national consciousness and deepening ideological basis, given primacy in the advancement of the National Democratic Revolution.
That it was a platform of sharpening social conscience and preserving historical truths, and defining the trajectory of South Africa’s cultural, political and economic development.
In fact, of sharpening the ideological perspectives required to propel the revolution forward and strengthen the consciousness for longevity and durability of the African National Congress – the organisation of Cde Mampogwane Peter Nchabeleng.
This revolutionary leader belongs to a different generation of freedom fighters and leaders of the movement.
A generation that saw the rise and growth of the ANC, that launched and propelled the existence of Mkhonto we Sizwe to its prime stage of prosecuting the liberation struggle.
They saw the emergence of political activists amongst the people of our country and witnessed heightened activism throughout the length and breadth of our land.
Through their zeal and commitment from their collective leadership, they played a crucial role in shaping the course of South Africa’s liberation movement, the ANC and the course of struggle.
Indeed, this memoir enriches the historical discourse on South Africa’s liberation movement and serves as a crucial source for political education, as we deepen the foundational courses of the ANC through OR Tambo School of Leadership.
It lays a continuous basis of deepening an understanding and the role played by revolutionary leaders, who led the struggle guided by the four pillars of the national democratic struggle as adopted at Morogoro Conference in 1969: mass mobilisation, underground organization, armed struggle and international solidarity.
Throughout the course of struggle, the liberation forces led by the ANC were properly guided by these cardinal pillars, to pursue a political struggle grounded on ideological training and political development, for sustained engagements properly guided and led by well empowered cadres of the movement, both politically and militarily.
Currently as guided by the theory of the revolution and strategy and tactics, we are unapologetic about social transformation programme based on the following pillars – the state, the economy, organisational work, ideological struggle and international work.
Thank you, comrade Mpho for the professionally written biography that succinctly articulate the political journey travelled by the great man we are commemorating here tonight and the suffering endured by the family in the hands of the apartheid security apparatus.
The apparatus that was used to deepen racial classification, segregation, disenfranchisement, economic exploitation and limited the movement of the black people in their own country.
Cde Mampogwane Peter Nchabeleng remains a leader of the movement and the people of South Africa.
As such, he should be heaped on with encomiums of the commander and the leader he was and for the remarkable contributions and sacrifices he made.
Like General Vo Giap of the Vietnamese revolution once said:
“All the rest of my days and entire life are dedicated to my country and the people…” and he further said: “A commander’ s greatest source of happiness is to stand by his soldiers on the battlefields.”
Exactly what Cde Peter Nchabeleng did.
Hence, Mkhonto we Sizwe honoured him by naming one of the detachments after him, the Peter Nchabeleng Detachment.
As an honour of bravery and sacrifice, of leadership and being a strategist and tactician, discipline and commitment, of skills and will to serve, and his significant and extraordinary contributions in the struggle for freedom militarily and politically.
For his thorough understanding of the dialectical relationship between the WILL and ABILITY.
For his honesty and commitment to the implementation of the programmes of the ANC and MK.
In fact, for his loyalty to the course of struggle in the interest of the oppressed and downtrodden masses of our people.
Who languished in poverty and got deprived basic human rights in their own country and subjected to repressive laws of the apartheid government.
3. HIS LIFE AND UPBRINGING:
Cde Mampogwane Peter Nchabeleng, the “Lion of the North”, was born on 13th March 1928 at Apel Mankotsane village in Sekhukhune Region, as the 6th Child of Mr Tshwaane and Mrs Mmatolo Nchabeleng.
He grew up at Leditse village near Ga-Masemola and attended the primary school at Mokalapa Lower Primary School and thereafter of proceeded to Higher Primary at Lobethal in Ga-Phaahla village.
He then went to Pretoria and stayed with his sister at Eersterus. During his stay, he decided to register for high school education at Kilnerton High School where he completed his Form 3, which today is called grade 10 in 1949.
During those years people with that level of scholastic achievement were regarded as having outstandingly achieved and could not be ignored for better opportunities or intellectual engagements.
It was a great educational achievement by standards.
He was a scholar and an intellectual of note.
A requirement appropriate for cadre ship development and that’s what distinguished his generation of ANC leaders from many who came after them.
Indeed today, we are expected to emulate these leaders of the African National Congress, given the challenges of our times, and continue to lead and guide with excellence and consciousness.
He worked at various places like at a doctor’s surgery, Brooklyn local hospital and later Consol Glass Company.
He was able then to secure or acquire a house in Atteridgeville for his family.
He got married to Mrs Gertrude Mmatsatsi Nchabeleng and got blessed with eight children.
6Who are serious activists and soldiers of MK and made significant contributions in the liberation struggle.
If his life was not cut-short by the apartheid security agents and probably by the grace of God, he would be 97 years old today.
He herded his father cattle like any other boy who grew up in the countryside of our land.
He knew how to use sling- shots whenever he was in the bush looking after the cattle.
As a young man his auditory skills got sharpened when they used to listen to stories and tales told by the elders in the evenings seated around the hearth or fireplace.
They acquired these skills that are necessary for language development, academic success, social skills, memory development, attention and focus, and auditory processing.
These skills are necessary for leadership development, building and leading.
In the evenings like many other families, he was exposed to indigenous celestial narratives which often were intertwined with cultural and spiritual teachings and the understanding of the natural world we live in.
In fact, they understood the cosmos and the galaxy of the sky, something unimaginable currently, given the levels of decline in indigenous knowledge and interests.
Ke Mmina Tau.
Mokgomana a’ Moshate.
Monare ‘a Malope
“Ba re go ke bo Kgapurutsa maja ditala ,thoba dingwe melala,nkgwete ya leshoka
segata ka bowa, bo mametsa digoba.”
“Ke bana ba Nong ye kgolo Matlejoane a’ Ngwato a’ Nkwana, nong kgolo e re ke a
fofa diphofa di a gana , ka baka la madi a magolo a bogoshi”.
“Ke bana ba Kgoshikgolo Sekhukhune, mashila a gatisha ka lekopelo ,mokopa a
mogolo wa thaba Tjate.”
7″Batho ba bowago Mohlake ,mohlaka ‘a morole, ba bowa mohlopi wa mmasebutla
sa Dimo seelo mathebo”
” Batho ba bowago phooko majwe maramaga, majwe magolo ka mabedi nkego mae
a chilwane”.
4. HIS POLITICAL GROWTH
Later in the years he wanted to see his brother Mamagase Nchabeleng who stayed in Johannesburg and was already an ANC member around 1950.
The day he went to Johannesburg to see him, on arrival at Park station he found an ANC event where his brother was also in attendance.
His brother introduced him to the ANC, and he immediately joined the organization on the first day of attending a meeting in Johannesburg on that day.
From that day onwards he never looked back, and his membership of the ANC strengthened.
He underwent training and development based on political engagements and attendance of meetings.
More so, that it was during the roaring decade of the defiance campaigns led by the Volunteer in Chief Cde Nelson Mandela under President Chief Albert Luthuli.
There was heightened political activism during that period evidenced by the adoption of the Women’s Charter in 1954, the adoption of the Freedom Charter in 1955, the Women’s
March to the Unions Building in 1956, Sebatakgomo revolt in 1958 , the sharpened internal ideological contradictions in the ANC that led to the formation of the Pan Africanist Congress in 1959 and later the banning of the ANC in 1960 and formation of MK in 1961.
He became an activist, a trade unionist, an operative and commander of MK, freedom fighter and campaigned against apartheid government.
He rose to political prominence in the 1950’s in Pretoria and Johannesburg, where he was active in the ANC, the South African Communist Party, the South African Congress of Trade Unions, and the Sebatakgomo movement from Sekhukhune.
8He was a leading figure in the engineering of a powerful Sebatakgomo resistance movement in protest again implementation of Bantu Authorities Act in Sekhukhune area.
He worked very close with his comrades like Flag Boshielo, Kgwane John Nkadimenng and others.
Cde Flag Boshieolo who later after the formation of MK in 1961 became a commander’ and Cde John Nkadimeng who also became the General Secretary of South African Congress of Trade Unions (SACTU).
In fact, with his comrades they managed to ignite the 1958 Sekhukhune revolt which became one of the precursors towards the formation of the MK, alongside Zeerust and Pondoland revolts.
Taking forward the wars of resistance that were fought by the warrior Kings and Queens of the people.
He understood and knew that the ANC is the Parliament of the People established in 1912, 260 years after the arrival of the settlers in 1652.
He understood that it was a culmination of many wars and skirmishes fought by our forebears and the existence of many formations established then to coordinate efforts though they were disjointed.
And that all those efforts and endeavours necessitated a formation of an organization that would unite the African people to consolidate their power and strength.
For them to wage a united struggle against colonialism and later against apartheid.
Hence the main thrust of the revolution is focusing on Africans in particular and blacks in general.
He became the Secretary of the ANC Local Branch in Atteridgeville and the Regional Secretary of Allied Workers Union and later Regional Secretary of the South African Congress of Trade Unions.
This clearly indicates the essence of the Branch as the basic unit of the organization.
Those of you comrades who are leading branches, should appreciate the honor bestowed upon you by the membership of the ANC.
Like Comrade Mampogwane Peter Nchabeleng did, you are expected to be exemplary leaders who should work hard to build strong branches of the ANC, because they are the mainstay of the organization.
Without politically and organisationally functional branches of the ANC that are civic oriented and attend to day-to-day issues affecting the people, the movement would be without the required strength to perform and carry out its responsibilities and tasks.
After his movement (ANC) was banned by the apartheid government in 1960 and, in the immediate aftermath, Cde Mampogwane Peter Nchabeleng was appointed to the seven-member committee established to continue anti-apartheid organising in Pretoria.
When the real Spear of the Nation, Umkhonto we Sizwe (MK) was established on the 16th of December 1961, he became one of the seven MK section commanders operating underground in Pretoria.
On 16 May 1963, Nchabeleng was arrested and stood trial under the Suppression of Communism Act for membership in the illegal ANC and possession of banned material.
He and his co-accused were sentenced to three years’ imprisonment, with two-and-a-half years of the sentence suspended.
He was, however, arrested again, on 17 August 1964, with several others and prosecuted on further charges related to his MK activities, including recruiting cadres and manufacturing explosives.
He was convicted of sabotage and sentenced to 8 (eight) years on Robben Island from 1964 to 1972 on charges related to his activism as an early recruit to Umkhonto we Sizwe.
On Roben Island obviously, he would have interacted with other leaders of Congress movement the likes of: – Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela; Walter Sisulu; Govan Mbeki; Raymond Mhlaba, Andrew Mlangeni, Mahwidi Phala, Ahmed Kathrada, Elias Motswaledi, Harry Gwala, and many others.
A generation of leaders who stood for principles and laid a solid foundation for mass activism and commitment of millions of South Africans, to a just cause of liberation and freedom.
In fact, he closely engaged with the MK High Command on Robben Island.
The place that became a center of serious political education were theories and ideologies were discussed, and the future of South Africa was reimagined based on democracy.
It became a symbol of the struggle against apartheid, oppression and injustices and represented the triumph of conviction and the human spirit over adversity.
It became the university of wisdom and a political education center where real political education took place.
Unknowingly to the apartheid government, they had assembled and gave leaders of the people time and space to plan decisively.
These developments coupled with the mass involvement of South Africans, intensified the struggle for 82 years towards freedom and democracy which we attained in 1994.
These great leaders of our organization and the people of South Africa, deserve our interminable salute and praises for their heroism.
5. BANISHMENT TO HIS VILLAGE
In the decade after his release, he was banished to his birthplace at Apel and was placed under house arrest.
Despite that, he continued his activism in the ANC networks to lead and guide and continuously had challenges with the Security Branch that visited him frequently and harassed him and his family.
In 1976 while under house arrest, Cde Mampogwane Peter Nchabeleng together with Cde Tokyo undertook a military operation of recruiting combatants and trained them.
This operation got known to the security branch and together with Cde Tokyo, his son Cde Aleck and others got arrested.
They were 12 and their case was known as “Pretoria 12” and after a year of trial, Cde Peter, Nelson Diale and Joe Gqabi were released but Cde Aleck his son was sentenced to 8 years, while Cde Tokyo and others were sentenced to 18 years on Roben Island.
On arrival at home, he never had time to rest, because the security branch from Burgersfort had identified him as a threat to apartheid government in the 1980’s.
In 1982 his life was attempted through a letter bomb and because of his military astuteness, he didn’t open it and he survived the attempted murder.
Later he wanted to leave for exile with his family but couldn’t because his role was identified more as being effective in the country.
He continued as a leader who understood the pillars of the struggle and never tried to guide the prosecution of the struggle.
Indeed, his role cannot be magnified but should be exalted.
He should be regarded as one of the exalted personages in content and character, a towering giant amongst many, who were produced by the African National Congress and its Alliance.
In the movement he was a great source of inspiration and industrious in many ways.
Given his extraordinary intellectual capacity to interpret the world we live in and the nature of things and developments, including circumstances around us, he had always advised on what could be done or was required from the motive forces of the struggle for liberation and freedom.
He taught us not to oscillate between revolutionary ideas and liberal thoughts, but to understand within the context of class struggle, the dialectical relations or interrelatedness of political struggle, economic struggle and ideological struggle.
That the organization is paramount to advance and lead the political struggle through a broad front of social and political forces.
In context currently it means, the absence or weak relations between the ANC and these societal forces would inevitably affect the capacity of our organization to stand supreme in the battle of ideas and platforms of influence and occupation of space.
Least to run a risk of dilution and gradual display of the ideological authority of the ANC in the South African political landscape.
A matter that should preoccupy leaders and activists of the ANC to ensure strength of political consciousness and sharpened social conscience with ingenuity.
6. PRESIDENT OF UDF
After the formation of the United Democratic Front (UDF) in 1983, he became instrumental in the coordinating structures that led to the establishment of UDF Northern Transvaal where he got elected as its First President.
He remained the underground leader of the ANC in the Northern Transvaal and both the political and military activities were well coordinated and integrated under his leadership.
He remained a political leader of influence and his work amongst the young people in Sekhukhune led to the formation of Sekhukhune Youth Organization (SEYO), which became part of the South African Youth Congress (SAYCO).
A vibrant youth movement that shook apartheid government and its surrogate’s structures of homeland systems.
Clearly, from across the country, all those who imbibed the spirit of the revolution from his fountain of knowledge, hitherto, remain revolutionaries who are sharpened in their political consciousness and continue to impart knowledge and facilitate the transcendence of his legacy over generations.
He remains a fountain of political wisdom from which many have imbibed the real politics of the congress movement.
Together with his generation, they have bequeathed on us a revolutionary movement that should be protected and democratic dispensation that should be defended.
As such we are expected to continue to work amongst the people for its relevance.
In this regard, we should be reminded of what President Oliver Reginald Tambo said on the 71st Anniversary of the ANC on the 08th of January 1983: – “Our underground organized forces are striking deeper roots and multiplying among the masses who are the bedrock of our revolution”.
We should and must continue to understand the primacy of the organization and the centrality of the people in the life of the ANC. That there is no organization and revolution without the people.
All of us are expected to multiply the presence of the ANC amongst the people.
And if some or most of us embark on activities that don’t respond to this high-minded, virtuous and morally worthy cause, we must undergo internal changes and in fact what President Nelson Mandela referred to as Reconstruction and Development of the Soul.
So that we can continue to demonstrate a higher purpose of organisational interests.
This remains our generational responsibility predestined or predestinated.
He was arrested on the 11th of March 1986 by the then Lebowa Police and taken to Schoonoord Police Station, on his arrival from the UDF meeting in Polokwane area (Mankweng in particular) and unfortunately died in the hands of the evil police officers after torture on the same day of his arrest.
It is said that he was told that the police were looking for him, and he said: “If the police are looking for me, they will find me at my own home where I will be waiting”.
When the police arrested him, it is said they told his wife that they are going to kill him and indeed that happened.
He was buried in Apel, Sekhukhuneland and his funeral was attended by about 20 000 comrades,
Today as we commemorate his life, we believe in the rule of law and that justice shall prevail, so that those who took his life face the full might of the law and take responsibility.
Thirty-nine years after his brutal killing, we are confident that justice shall prevail.
We call upon the relevant authorities in government through their appropriate systems, not to leave this matter deferred.
That it should be part of many others that are being attended to. Justice must prevail.
7. A TRUE LEADER
Cde Mampogwane Peter Nchabeleng was a true Patriot who believed that the ANC is the only organization that will ensure realisation of united, non-racial, non-sexist, democratic and prosperous society.
He was inspired by great leaders of the ANC and of the continent like Chief Albert Luthuli, Patrice Lumumba and many others.
He was posthumously awarded the “Order of Luthuli” for untiring commitment to the cause of struggle for liberation of this country and its people.
From him as we are gathered here tonight, we must learn Values-Based Leadership and be guided to lead with prowess.
Values like: – discipline, integrity, humility and humbleness honestly, commitment, trustworthiness, reliability, love, accountability, consultation, resilience.
We should understand that true leadership in the ANC is an embodiment of values and principles, which distinguish the ANC leaders and set them apart both in character and content, from leaders of other political parties.
Once ANC leaders’ posture and behave the same as others, the movement loose it’s charecter and public appearance, due to unpleasant and grotesque image we display, and the people can longer differentiate.
They then decide otherwise, because they would not approve of such from their organization. Because we should always stand outstanding in the equation of leadership in the country for society to distinguish us from amongst the rest.
The leadership character we cannot afford to lose is a treasure bequeathed on us, by the founding leaders of the ANC and those who led it over decades of struggle against colonialism and apartheid, for liberation, freedom and justice.
From Cde Mampogwane Peter Nchabeleng lessons, leadership is not just about referring to black, green and gold colours of the ANC and we expect people to follow and support.
It’s about our character and reputation, courage, discipline and commitment, as individuals who constitute the organization in their totality.
Singularly, with expectation of high standards from those who have been elected at any level of the organisation.
All-round cadres of the movement, who are grounded in the theories of the organization, are expected to lead and demonstrate such, for many particularly new members to learn the correct politics of the ANC.
A matter of concern which is at the heart of renewal programme of the African National Congress. That we must teach and ensure that new members imbibe the correct politics of the congress movement for them to be better members and leaders in future, who fully appreciate the essence of discipline.
We should acknowledge and appreciate ethical and principled leadership as the mainstay of the organization, which impacts the movement positively.
Embrace evidence based and data driven leadership for proper planning and decision making, particularly from those comrades deployed in government.
We should learn that leadership in the ANC is about service to the people because it has existed for the people since its formation. That the revolution is about the people.
We should make it an instrument of the people because the day it fails to remain their political instrument, it will become irrelevant in their minds, a matter that should be attended to, as we have witnessed in recent past elections a sharp decline in our electoral support.
Understandably we are hard at work to recover the lost prime space in the imagination of society about their organization, the ANC.
Comrades, today we are here to honour, remember and salute the indomitable spirit of the Great Lion of the North, the great leader of our people and of the ANC.
The leader we are commemorating, represented strength, bravery, and impossibility to defeat or frighten.
The Lion and the indomitable human spirit in him represent the spirit of resilience and perseverance.
He was a great leader with integrity, self-awareness, courage, respect, compassion, and resilience.
A leader who understood that the revolution requires audacity and passion not just as a reference, but the combination of the two in a meaningful way.
16His leadership qualities brought to life the writing of Che Guevara which states: “A true Revolutionary is guided by a true feeling of love. That it is impossible to think of a revolutionary lacking this trait.”
He communicated the vision of the liberation whilst showing deep love and gratitude for his people and collaborating effectively.
From his life and teachings, he squarely agrees with Che Guevara when he furthermore says,” In order to change a way of thinking, it is necessary to undergo profound internal changes and to witness profound external changes especially in the performance of our duties and obligations to society”.
Comrades, I wish as we undergo the renewal of the organisation, that it becomes our revolutionary duties to continue to empower and equip ourselves, with the theories of the revolution, tools of analysis and practices, that are synonymous with the true character of the African National Congress.
They are essential for leadership development and sharpening of qualities required, to propel the revolution forward and improve the organisational capacity at all levels.
As we honour this great revolutionary of our movement, we should note amongst many things, that apartheid furnace could not destroy his spirit and commitment to the struggle for freedom.
Instead, all what he went through, sharpened his astuteness.
His experience of the struggles of the black people and Africans in particular over centuries of colonialism and decades of apartheid, where they had no rights in the land of their birth and were without basic amenities required for the quality of their lives, denied access to productive assets from their land, strengthened his conscious resolve for struggle.
This great leader of our movement spanned the breadth of society and communities and had a wide influence and impacted a diverse range of political forces for liberation struggle.
From him we should learn that political boundary spanning needs the cadreship of the organization to ensure collaborative governance based on collective leadership for better alignment of political vision, goals and strategies.
And to give expression to participatory democracy for everyone to appreciate the need for mutual adjustment in pursuit of a purpose for political power required to advance the National Democratic Revolution.
Today as we commemorate and honour him, we are also reporting to him, that the freedom you fought for is now decorated with diversity of South Africans culture and cemented by a character of unity and social cohesion.
It is based and informed by the theories that guide our revolution and the struggle you fought.
It’s further enhanced by the fundamental pillars outlined in the National Development Plan, that articulates the trajectory for the democratic state to advance towards realisation of the Freedom Charter.
However, despite the rainbow character of the nation, we still see isolated incidence and intentions of displaying racialism by those who don’t believe in non- racialism because they are still suffering from apartheid hung ups.
The organization that you led, remains the only vehicle towards a society characterised by non-racialism, non-sexism, democracy, unity and prosperity.
But we would like to assure you that the people’s power and dignity we have reclaimed from the shackles of repressive forces, shall be defended by the freedom loving citizens who comprehend the journey traversed led by your organization the African National Congress and it’s Alliance partners.
He continued to operate, offering hope to the hopeless, the poor and the downtrodden.
Even under difficult conditions and circumstances, he continued to show that he is a true leader who is unyielding, resilient, and unbreakable.
The indomitable spirit he exuded speaks to his capacity to overcome obstacles and maintain hope, even in the face of seemingly insurmountable difficulties.
As we are tussling and brawling with complex matters affecting the movement, we should also be preoccupied in ensuring our collective efforts in this revolutionary agenda. For our success lies in our collective strength and abilities.
We should be worried about the state of the Alliance and in fact work hard to ensure its continuous strengths.
The challenges affecting the Alliance touch the very deep and main nerve of our political life as the organisations responsible for the National Democratic Revolution.
Any problem with its arterial networks poses a serious challenge to the congress movement’s political health and its life.
A matter that always needs our undivided attention, because any negative endeavour against us in this regard poses a major threat to the future of the revolution and the gains of the national democratic project.
We need the SACP, and the SACP needs the ANC. In as much as we need, COSATU and SANCO. Together we constitute the revolutionary ALLIANCE, and it should always be strengthened.
The political issues raised affecting Alliance constitute a confluence of divergent and are tactical navigations in nature and not fundamentally opposed to or negate the objectives of the course of the revolution itself.
Because, the main thrust we are all pursuing remains the liberation of black in general and Africans in particular, led by the vanguard of the National Democratic Revolution, the African National Congress. Collectively conscious of the fact that, if the revolution gets detoured or weakened by the impact of the counter revolutionary forces that are hard at work, we all stand to lose in a meaningful way.
The Alliance over decades managed complex issues that could have aborted the revolution and emerged stronger until it delivered the 1994 democratic breakthrough.
The current issues of our time confronting us are not insurmountable and they need our collective attention. Tactical agility guided by strategic advance is required to manage what appears to be a complex situation yet not, because of the cause and nature of the issues raised.
The leadership of the Alliance partners based on high levels of emotional intelligence, should manage and resolve the related areas of divergence in the interests of the working class and the motive forces of the National Democratic Revolution.
In the context of managing internal organisational issues and Alliance dynamics, his teachings are essential for our learning. They empower us to understand that unity is not the absence of cognitive diversity but the logic in dialectical reasoning.
We all understand the character of the organization, the ANC, that it is a mass-based organization and a broad church.
Meaning all class forces are found in the organization with unique behaviour and interests, but they are primarily subjugated to the values, culture, principles and discipline of the organization.
The ability to keep them focused on organisational tasks is the primary function of leadership to ensure unity and cohesion of the movement.
We need to continue to support the ANCVL, ANCWL and the ANCYL, because with the strong leagues, the ANC’s durability and longevity will be guaranteed.
We need to focus on COSAS and SASCO, so that we are forever present in the institutions of learning both in Basic education and Higher education.
For they are foundational platforms of learning and acquisition of knowledge, a base the ANC cannot afford its absence and lack of presence and influence.
The ANC capacity depends largely on the standing of all these structures as they are part of the Congress Movement and very essential for its presence in society.
8. GEO-POLITICAL DYNAMICS
We are meeting here to honour a great soul, at the time when Geo-political landscape is characterised by renewed imperialism with immense global challenges and dynamics,
emergence of right-wing populism and realignment of forces opposed to transformation of organs of global governance.
They are advancing their agenda by amongst other things through display of their aggressive protectionist approach and galloping populism, seen through actions and posture, both in articulation and character.
With the recent unprecedented diplomatic expression of dissatisfaction by US evidenced by their decision in relation to our country, diplomatic conduct and posture demands of us to demonstrate high levels of emotional intelligence and diplomatic maturity to manage this complex situation imagined to be out of pendulum or equation.
These current developments in relation to how they affect us, are receiving the necessary leadership from the ANC and government.
We should applaud our President on how he is handling these matters, and we are confident, that through our collective ingenuity as the ANC and government, we shall manage the situation and emerge out of this undesirable diplomatic conundrum.
We are doing so guided by principles governing state relations and diplomacy, that of peaceful negotiations, disciplined communication, mutual respect, credible and consistence articulation of our national interests and sovereignty and acting with discipline and diplomatic adaptability.
Equally, diplomats are expected to appreciate the complexities and intricacies of the hosting countries and articulate perspectives within the protocols of diplomacy.
Our political capacity to manage globally power-induced negativities about us, we need complimentary constructive mechanisms to address levels of mutual interests, of distrust and mistrust and generate working trust required to advance the course of national significance with reciprocity informed by our national interests as the nation.
The cumulo-nimbus and strato-nimbus clouds that have been gathering in relation to the transformative legislations assented to by the President, because of deliberate distortions by those who seek international attention should be cleared by refuting such with clarity of content and articulation.
We remain a country that is not interested in creating enemies and hellbent in such endeavours that could be regarded as display of negative energies against other nations.
We are a sovereign state, and our sovereignty should be respected because we respect nations of the world.
We do so guided by international law and principles codified in treaties, because we strongly belief in global stability and cooperation.
We are guided on the international front by the Freedom Charter, when it says, “There Shall Be Peace and Friendship’’. Meaning that we shall strive for peaceful resolutions of international conflicts and disputes through negotiations and not war.
We remain committed to the African Agenda 2063.
This is what guide our foreign policy and articulation thereof.
It is important comrades to acknowledge the leadership role of the G20 countries given to us by history.
Given that it is for the first time in the history of global politics, that an African country has assumed a responsibility of this global significance.
Both the ANC and government has a major task to deliver this with distinction, notwithstanding the related challenges thereto.
Already there are meetings underway that are being held with success, and we are looking forward to the Heads of State meeting towards the end of the year.
We are carrying this responsibility not only for us, but for the entire continent, and the world given our character as a Pan Africanist Organisation and Internationalist in outlook.
In this regard, Cde Mampogwane Peter Nchabeleng as a Pan-Africanist and Internationalist, he would give a proper and contextual analysis of the global developments and guide, how we should relate with the situation in the interest of the National Democratic Revolution.
But his intellectual legacy beckons on us to apply the correct tools of analysis and articulate our ideas in the interests of our country and her people.
9: WHAT WOULD HE SAY ABOUT THE STATE OF SRVICE DELIVERY TO COMMUNITIES
We are meeting here tonight eleven months into the seventh administration, characterised by the Government of National Unity.
A phenomenon that came about because of the electoral setback, as we could not secure more than fifty percent of the electoral support required to constitute a government.
As such, for us to lead the GNU effectively and realise the objectives outlined in our manifesto and the articulated priorities, we need a strong, united and vibrant structures of the African National Congress.
The structures that are occasioned to serve the people and work for communities to solve their problems.
Therefore, the ANC should become central in the functioning of communities and become an important centre of information, support and assistance.
It should not be associated with all negativities relating to ill-discipline, unethical behaviour and morally challenged leadership.
We must work hard as we rebuild trust amongst South Africans and ensure provision of services. We must give the people water, better sanitation infrastructure, electricity, good roads, jobs and opportunities, address poverty and high costs of living, better health services, quality education, safety and security, address gender-based violence, support Spaza Shops initiatives for our people to access the allocated funding to start their own businesses.
Now throughout the country in many localities, communities are struggling in getting basic services from the established systems of their government.
In some instances, it’s not because there are no allocations of funds, but because of mismanagement of the systems and its related resources, for personal aggrandisement at the expense of the people.
A feature that negatively affect the position of the revolution in society.
The ANC cannot afford these negativities, of course noting tremendous progress made since 1994 to date in improving the quality of life of all South Africans.
The latest and contemporary circumstances to a larger extent negate the progress made and undermine achievements brought by the democratic dispensation.
The development of ethical, capable and developmental state remains our focus necessarily to sharpen and locate instruments of the state at the disposal of the people.
Primarily to serve and use the prevailing and available resources prudently for social progress.
As a result, we are now confronted with the form and structure of national government that we least anticipated in May 2024 National and Provincial elections.
A reality that has dawned with its complications and complexities, making us to fathom how positive or negative it would impact our transformation and developmental agenda.
The contemporary political and governance matters relating to management of government, presupposes an understanding of concessional arrangements against our transformational agenda guided by the advancement of the National Democratic Revolution.
Any misguided posture should primarily be negated through sharp divergent ideological perspectives and make them incompatible in thinking, orientation and approach, because they would be intended in denting and displacing the leadership role of the ANC, as the axis of governance and administration of this country.
They seek to subjugate our revolutionary character, dilute our content and distort our policy articulation, aimed at occupying the political landscape in our country to our detriment as the movement.
The centre of gravity holds. It holds for greater significance in mobilisation of society to essentially appreciate the leadership role of the glorious movement, the African National Congress.
Whatever they intend doing is too vast and complex for easy adjustments.
We must be wary of social forces in society aimed at igniting despair both nationally and internationally, for their reactionary endeavours of precipitating change in leadership of the country.
Not only that, to erode our moral standing and severely limit our space to manoeuvre contradictions brought about by the intersectionality of race, class and gender, as they find expression in the complex socio-economic and political situation and prevailing circumstances.
We must continue to advance a political course for social change on a grand scale, with positive impactful consequences in society.
We cannot allow ourselves to move from heroes to villains in the eyes of our communities.
We remain committed to a high moral standard and constitutional obligation, to build a capable and developmental state which place at the heart of its being, the needs and aspirations of the people.
This process of renewal and repositioning of government is led by our President and Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces of our country, His Excellency Matamela Cyril Ramaphosa.
10.THE STATE OF OUR DEMOCRACY
As South Africans we chose democracy because we were determined to put the injustices of the past behind us, advance nation building agenda and completely bury the domination of one nation by the other.
It is important to note that the prospects for a stable democracy in a country are assured if its citizens and leaders are committed to work together to meet the needs of the people, strongly support democratic ideas, values and practices.
The most reliable support from our people come when these beliefs and predispositions are embedded in the country’s culture and are transmitted and bequeathed in large part, from one generation to the next.
This democracy and the freedom of the previously oppressed, brought to fruition the many decades of struggles waged by Cde Mampogwane Peter Nchabeleng and many others.
As we commemorate this great son of the soil and a brother to revolutionary daughters of the land, a father and grandfather to politically conscious members of the family, a comrade and cadre to many with whom he spent his entire life in the struggle for liberation, freedom and justice, we must deepen and protect our democracy that we attained through hardships.
That it must not be taken for granted because lives have been lost and people have disappeared without trace.
We should address what appears to be a crisis of democracy, where millions of South Africans choose to be outside the electoral systems of the government and the rapid depoliticisation of society.
Evidenced by low voter turnouts during elections of those who are supposed to defend the gains of their freedom and advance an unapologetic struggle, to resolve the challenges hindering economic redistribution of the wealth of this country.
Their retreat or grandstanding from the electoral battles paves way for forces opposed to transformation to temper with the pace of social transformation.
A phenomenon that forces for national democratic change cannot afford, because of its negative impact on the revolution.
This occurrence requires our collective attention because it has the potential to erode the base laid since 1994, of electoral power of the ANC to determine government and based on the range and threshold drive growth and development of the country.
We brought freedom and democracy and as such we must be vigilant and not easily be dislodged from political power.
An attempt has been made in last years elections and currently we are experiencing developments of opposed nature, given the interface of non-adjacent ideological orientation, characterised by far distant articulations and continuous ideological skirmishes.
Unavoidably, the contemporary national landscape is yet to be seen if it can provide alternatives to what the ANC has done since 1994.
In fact, what is emerging is an attempt to undermine and derail the peoples project of transformation and access to the means of productions.
11: WE KNOW OUR PATH AHEAD
We have a blueprint for a better, prosperous South Africa which finds expression on the recent cabinet approved Medium Term Development Plan (MTDP).
The National Development Plan (NDP), to which all sectors of South African society contributed to its development remains our macro socio-economic strategy.
The direction and trajectory we are undertaking guided by our vision 2023, is therefore shaped by the will and wishes of South Africans and many sectors both organised and semi-organised.
Our ability to implement the National Development Plan and Medium-Term Development Plan is supported by the 2025 State of the Nation Address and the National Budget to address the challenges we face.
We are hard at work towards realisation of our manifesto and the adopted plans, uppermost being, economic growth and inclusivity, fight against poverty and high cost of living and establishment of an ethical capable and developmental state.
The State of the Nation Address and the adopted Budget articulate succinctly the vision for a future South Africa through the designed systems based on the GNU Statement of Intent and the adopted plans.
12: CONCLUSION
The greatest honour we can do for this great leader and many other revolutionaries from around Tshwane, is to keep their organisation the African National Congress alive and vibrant.
We must remain focused on reclaiming the Capital City of South Africa in the upcoming municipal elections and have the ANC Mayor in Office.
So that we could correctly with the available wherewithal’s, advance the National Democratic Revolution.
In this regard we are left with almost eighteen months (18) towards 2026 Local: Government Elections.
We need to situate or position our branches among the people by serving them not with rhetoric but tangibly attending to community issues and taking up civic matters, given our current position in the imagination of the people of Tshwane and how they have responded to our 2021 municipal elections campaign.
The 2026 Municipal elections are going to determine our long-term role in the governance of the country and therefore, through humble leadership that serve the people, we will regain their trust. Because the people love their organisation the African National
Congress and it’s up to us, to provide the much-needed leadership both in the organisation and government, particularly at the municipal level.
In fact, from tomorrow on the 12th-13th of April, the National Executive Committee of the ANC is convening Local Government Elections Strategy Workshop to map a way forward.
So that structures of the movement could be guided on how we are going to proceed in mounting an elections campaign in preparation for next year.
Comrade Mampogwane Peter Nchabeleng, the leader of the congress movement we are celebrating and honouring today, was a devoted Christian as well.
As such: Mathews 20:26-27 says: “True greatness and leadership is not about power and authority but about serving others and that greatness is in the service of the people”.
Comrades and Compatriots.
Fellow South Africans, we must be encouraged to follow the footsteps of the likes of the Lion of the North himself and continue to fight today’s struggles of economic freedom, of the fight against crime and corruption, of the Gender Based Violence and Femicide, of quality education by ensuring implementation of Basic Education Laws Amendment Act (BELA), better health services by implementing National Health Insurance(NHI), of intensifying peoples participation in the programmes and activities of their government, and deliver quality and reliable services to the people.
This is what our leaders like would appreciate, because they have bequeathed this heritage of the South African people, the African National Congress to us, to use in the service of the people and nothing else. Currently, beyond any reasonable doubt, a major issue of concern is the state of the organisation, and we are challenged to sustain the revolutionary culture of the ANC, given the contemporary political dynamic characterising the organisation.
In the name of the fallen heroes and heroines of the liberation struggle, the freedom fighters and martyrs of the revolution, the ordinary masses who relentlessly gave support during difficult times of the struggle, defend the ANC and strengthen the renewal programme, because that’s the only path towards longevity of the movement.
Let’s remain focused, united in our diversity so that we can realise a South Africa we envisaged on the values enshrined in the country’s constitution.
Let’s deepen the vision, values and character of the ANC through the work done by OR Tambo School of Leadership and continue to rollout mass political education to strengthen the consciousness of members and leaders of the ANC.
In doing so, we would defend the legacy of Cde Peter Mampogwane Nchabeleng and his generation.
May his revolutionary spirit rest in peace.
Forward with Unity of the ANC forward.
Forward with Unity of the Alliance, forward.
Viva ANCVL, ANCWL, ANCYL, Viva.
Thank you
Ke a leboga
Ngiyabonga