My political credentials first! I want to indicate that I am a leader who want to demonstrate knowledge power than position power,hence prefer to lead from behind and direct those in front. I started my political life when I joined Turfloop University in 1989. The liberation movements were all being unbanned and Rivonia Trialists were out. Under the leadership of Ernest Khosa,David Makhura,Sello Moloto,Chris Lethole and that magnificent secretary,I participated in violent activities that made us teargassed and chased away from the campus every week. I was nearly recruited by Azasco since I shared a flat with them,Gaddaffi Block. I participated in the funeral of Cde David Webster,a Wits Lecture of Anthropology and was also an anti apartheid activist. At Machel and Freedom squares,we celebrated the Independence of Namibia and Swapo was sworn in as ruling party. I participated in student and revolutionary activities of naming all buildings,Tiro Hall,Oscar Mpetha stadium,Chris Hani,Josephine Moshobane and many more. In my final year,I slept at Anton Lembede. We hosted many leaders like Mandela,Oscar Mpetha,Chris Hani whom I touched and Peter Mokaba who I went to his room with Chris Lerhole,whom I was close to.I was angry with the apartheid regime that I nearly have crossed to Botswana to join Mk because negotiation were unpredictable hence,Operation vula was in place to force the way in. My schoolmate,Solly 'Mhisi' Maluleke now far in Nelspruit persuaded me not to go and encouraged that we need to fight from within although he even discouraged me playing Mariam Makeba music. There was this mad cop,in Lawrence,who kept hunting us like mice. Codesa negotiations were met with resistance at some stage and thanks to leadership of ANC for being focussed. Cyril Ramaphosa was pivotal. I had keen interest in those processes. After Turfloop activism,I became a teacher and Ndengeza High,where I met Sviko Mabunda,now with FOLE,Forum of Limpopo Entepreneurs to join hands in ANCYL activities here at home. I only stayed for two years there and joined Macema,where I joined SADTU in 1995. I have been a site steward for so long there and saved many teachers from their jobs. I chose not to contest for position at ANC branch and instead supported Cde Xigevenga leadership and rallied behind them. I chose union work and cde will recall how I raised issues at conferences. Ultimately circumstance forced me to take up position as ANCYL,ANC and SACP at branch and district/region levels for over the past 15 years to date. I attend major conferences including Polokwane and YCL strategy conference of 2005 in Molopane. There is a lot to tell about my activism and the space here is limited.' Globalize the struggle,Globalize the Hope.
Posted on: Fri, 23 Aug 2013 02:55:51 +0000
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