Icon ’ s return rouses village
PELLA ABUZZ AHEAD OF MOSES KOTANE REBURIAL ON SATURDAY
WHEN Nelson Mandela was buried in December 2013, Maphora Moloto cried and prayed for the return of her brother’s remains.
Yesterday, in the sleepy village of Matlhako, where Moses Kotane ’ s remains will be reburied on Saturday, Moloto shed tears of a different kind.
Her brother Kotane, who died in exile in Russia in 1978, will finally return to rest in the place of his birth at the weekend.
“He used to play with us; he was dignified and most of us respected him,” said a tearful Moloto, 88.
“I remember when Nelson Mandela was buried, I cried and asked God to bring the remains of my brother back home. It’s [finally] happening now.”
Yesterday the village, which is also known as Pella, west of Rustenburg, was buzzing with excitement ahead of Kotane’s reburial on Saturday.
The former trade unionist and SACP leader is the source of pride for the locals.
Yesterday, the construction of the dome where the funeral service will be held was nearing completion.
Kotane ’ s final resting place was also being dug on the property of his first-born son Joseph Kotane.
Chief Ramosetlho Gasebone, the leader of the Bakwena ba Matlhako Morare, said Kotane’s reburial site would be declared a tourism site.
“We also have politicians like Aaron Molete and Barney Molokwane who were born here; we are busy proposing that there must be a heroes’ acre here,” said Morare.
Politicians are expected to go around the local schools today to teach pupils about Kotane’s history.
Sewagodimo High School pupils are in agreement, saying they want to know more about Kotane.
“We were told he was born here, but I would like to know why he went to Russia and why his remains came back only now,” said Grade 9 pupil Onalenna Motlhabane.
Ofentse Dire, also in Grade 9, wants to be part of the funeral service “but I hear children won’t be allowed”.
“I was hoping to learn more about him from the speakers,” he said.
Perhaps they can rely on the night vigil tomorrow, when different speakers will inform villagers and guests about Kotane.
The Struggle icon’s nephew, Motsewabo Moloto, who was among a delegation of people who went to collect Kotane’s remains at Waterkloof Air Force Base in Pretoria a fortnight ago, said he was a proud man.
“I am proud because my grandfather is now back home,” he said.
Motsewabo described Kotane as a gentleman who always wore a tie.
“I cannot say much about him except what I read in the papers. I was still young [when he left SA].”
Moses Mauane Kotane was born at Matlhako village, which used to be called Tampostad and also later renamed Pella. The current name is in honour of German missionaries who helped the Bakwena ba Matlhako to get their land back, after which the missionaries built a mission station under that name.
Kotane was the general-secretary of the SACP from 1939 until he died in Moscow in 1978.
He had suffered a stroke 10 years earlier and had gone to the then Soviet Union for treatment but continued to live there until his death.