Tributes paid to son of soil Msimang
Communist Party of Russia mourns loss of comrade
Friends and family of the late ANC stalwart Mendi Msimang gathered yesterday at Turbine Hall in Johannesburg to celebrate his life.
Msimang died on Monday after a long illness.
The service was attended by ANC bigwigs and union leaders, including Mathews Phosa, Kgalema Motlanthe and Gauteng premier David Makhura.
The venue was decorated in ANC colours while a picture slide showing moments shared between Msimang and his family played out in the background.
Msimang’s former PA Gugu Mtshali, who is married to Motlanthe, described him as a hard worker and a perfectionist.
Msimang, a former ANC treasurer-general, also served as SA’s high commissioner in London from 1995 until 1998. He was the widower of the late Manto Tshabalala-Msimang who served as health minster.
“He was hands on and cared about people,” said Mtshali.
She said Msimang was a father figure to those who worked under him.
“Uncle Mendi and I worked together for 10 beautiful and fruitful years. During this time I came to know the man who became my hero,” she said.
Mtshali recalled special moments, including when Msimang gave a heart-warming speech at her wedding. Motlanthe said SA had lost one of its most distinguished sons.
He said Msimang was among the first leaders to leave the country after the banning of the ANC by the apartheid regime.
He described Msimang as a servant of the people and a thoroughly respectable man.
Tetekin Viacheslav, who spoke on behalf of the Russian Communist Party, said the loss was also felt by the people of Russia.
“I must tell you that this is not only a loss for South Africans but for his friends in Russia,” Viacheslav said.
He said Msimang helped build the ANC into a strong political party, adding that he was modest but determined in his resolve to fight for his country’s freedom.
“He was not only a warm person but he possessed a great sense of humour. I would like to thank comrade Mendi for his comradeship and his contribution towards the liberation struggle.”
Cosatu president Zingiswa Losi said Msimang was a humble and humane leader.
She said Msimang led by example and inspired many to pursue liberation.
“We are inspired to be associated with such a leader. This is a leader who was in charge of finances but was never caught in corruption.”
Lozi said Msimang was one of the leaders who developed the ANC into an organisation which works for the people. Msimang was born on December 8 1928 in Marshalltown, Johannesburg. His association with the ANC began during the 1940s.
Born: December 8 1928
Died: December 3
Funeral: Tomorrow at the Christian Revival Church, corner Lynnwood and Solomon Mahlangu roads in Tshwane, Pretoria
A giant has fallen. A relentless fighter for freedom and justice is no more.
A passionate champion for the rights of the poor and downtrodden has gone the way of all mortal flesh. A tireless defender of our revolution has been reunited with Oliver Tambo, Nelson Mandela, Walter Sisulu, Ruth Mompati, Lillian Ngoyi, Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, Chris Hani and many distinguished leaders of our movement.
The ANC family, its alliance partners and the rest of the country, are devastated by the passing of one of its loyal cadres, comrade Mendi Msimang. We mourn the passing of this stalwart and veteran of our movement, who never wavered in the face of difficulties but remained loyal to the national democratic revolution.
Msimang personified core values of the congress movement. Death has robbed the people of SA of one of its finest sons who valued the freedom of his people more than his own life. Msimang’s death marks the end of a revolutionary life that was dedicated to the Struggle for justice, and the defence of our freedom.
Uncle Mendi, as he was affectionately known, belongs to that generation of freedom fighters who were prepared to pay the supreme price in pursuit of the liberation.
This unwavering revolutionary served his people selflessly, and with no expectation of any material rewards. He is an example worthy of emulation by the younger generation.
Uncle Mendi, was a longserving member of the ANC, having cut his teeth along with Sisulu and others in the ANC Youth League as a student.
In recognition of his commitment to the ideals of the ANC, and the democratic government, Msimang was awarded the Order for Meritorious Service in Silver by former president Nelson Mandela in 1999, along with other South African greats such as Ray Alexander Simons, George Bizos, Miriam Makeba, Francis Baard, to name but a few.
Msimang remained a relentless and calm activist. Despite his advanced age, he continued to serve the country and the ANC as a member of the ANC integrity commission appointed in 2013, and a member of the advisory board on national orders.
We salute him for his unwavering commitment to serve selflessly and with humility. We commit to continue to celebrate his life and leadership, and preserve his legacy for future generations.
When comrade Mathews Phosa was elected ANC treasurer-general at our 52nd national conference in Polokwane, he invited him to serve on the finance committee.
Msimang went underground when the ANC was banned in 1961, and was directed to join Oliver Tambo in the ANC in London.
After years of service in exile‚ including as ANC chief representative in the UK‚ he returned to SA. He was elected to the national executive committee of the ANC at its first conference after its unbanning in 1991.
Msimang was the husband of the later former health minister Manto Tshabalala-Msimang who died in 2009.
Msimang will be given a special official funeral tomorrow in Pretoria.