Community celebrates its slain hero's birthday

KNYSNA NEWS - On what would have been Victor Molosi's 48th birthday on 24 January had he not been murdered outside his home in July last year, his successor as Ward 8 councillor Thando Matika and councillor Aubrey Tsegwa organised community activities to celebrate his life and keep his name alive.

First on their programme was donating table tennis equipment to the LoveLife Centre for the young people in the area. Thereafter they put on their gloves for a cleanup along with community members.

These events were followed by a memorial lecture, hosted by the ANC's Duma Nokwe branch (Knysna Ward 8).

'He was not only a leader'
The lecture was delivered by Bitou Municipality deputy mayor Sindiso Gcabayi, who chose to base his talk on an ANC document titled Through the Eye of a Needle, which outlines attributes that would help identify a true leader.

Gcabhayi said he was honoured to be given such a "difficult" task.

"When I was told that I'd deliver this lecture I shivered – I became cold because Molosi was a great leader that I was still learning from." He said he had sifted through old ANC documents and found the 2001 document, "which suits Freeze (as Molosi was affectionately known) as having been one of the cadres who lived up to the Eye of the Needle principles. "He used his strength to build the ANC as a movement, he was an organiser.

He was not only a leader but was always at the forefront. We saw social transformation through him, he was grounded."

Half of the birthday cake was sent to Molosi's family. Molosi's wife Nomonde (far right) enjoying the cake with their twins Sihle and Lihle at the Molosi residence. Photo: Nwabisa Pondoyi

'A servant of the people'
Recalling seeing Molosi frequently at the Home Affairs offices in KwaNokuthula in Plettenberg Bay, helping the elderly to attain their ID documents, Gcabhayi said, "What I did not know at the time is that he used his own money to pay for them, transported them and patiently waited until they were assisted and drove them back."

He said Molosi was a servant of the people and refused to be corrupt, adding, "He was killed because he was against corruption."

Gcabhayi described Molosi as a visionary, which is why he believes the late councillor worked so closely with Matika, because he saw something in him.

"I'm sure Matika probably thought they were just friends, but I'm sure he saw beyond that. Molosi was flexible, accessible, and fought for the people – especially on service delivery issues."

Although six months have passed since Molosi's death, it is as though no time has passed, said Molosi's mother in-law Vinolia Gungubele at the event. She said her daughter, Molosi's wife Nomonde Molosi, thought she would be able to attend the commemoration, but that the wound is still too deep.

Molosi's wife too fragile to attend
"So she has asked me to say a few words on her behalf," Gungubele said. "She is very grateful for the unwavering support from the day of the incident until now. She sees you marching to court and chanting songs of liberation. She is still very fragile and sometimes still cries and that is why she is not here today. She also told me to relay to you all that should you ever wish to use her husband's name for the benefit of the organisation, feel free to do so – because he loved the organisation and served it with his heart."

Molosi's successor Matika also said a few words: "Had he been alive he would've observed the crowd and sent me a text saying,'yhu anisebenzanga (you didn't work) or 'yhu nisebenzile' (you did an amazing job). What most people missed out on was his sense of humour."

Matika, who was Molosi's right-hand man, said sometimes people called him Molosi's lapdog because they were always together. He echoed Gcabhayi's sentiment that he was still learning from Molosi at the time of his passing.

Members of the ANC chanting songs of liberation during the Victor Molosi memorial lecture. Photos: Nwabisa Pondoyi

"When he passed on, he was working on getting the residents of Happy Valley, eNdlovu electricity.

I am happy to say that today at 09:30 we switched on lights in that area. I'm picking up where he left off. I don't have projects of my own just yet."

The event was characterised by much singing and dancing, predominantly of Molosi's favourite songs, and those in attendance received gifts and had cake.

Ward 8 councillor Thando Matika, councillor Aubrey Tsegwa at Lovelife Centre.