Tribute to ANC warrior who was a father figure to many
A warrior is not defined in terms of the battles he won but through courage, tenacity and valour.
The scars and bruises show the endurance of a warrior.
A revolutionary warrior always arms himself or herself with the theory of revolution.
He is guided by political, ideological and organisational discipline. Through active participation in the revolution, he acquires revolutionary clarity.
It shocked many of us to learn about the passing of comrade Mzoli Luzipho, whom most of us who are young and growing in the ANC referred to as “Bhele”.
Most of us always called him by his clan’s name. This is informed by many reasons, but among those is that he was a father figure to many of the upcoming and growing young comrades.
Bhele was a political compass that took the time to nurture and guide us. He was patient and polite, however content in his articulation.
He hardly got angry or harboured gossip about other comrades. He would always say, “Hayi ndithe mandikuxelele ba kucingwa njani ngawe, ungandenzi ke,“refering to his confession about things that are discussed in your absence.
He was a cadre of dimensional character whose level of articulation was not limited to politics.
Bhele analysed all other social related activities that bring people together (social cohesion), such as sport, moral regeneration, music, creative arts and traditional related activities.
He flourished in the battle of ideas and didn’t shy away because there are so-called perceived more advanced politicians.
He refused to shy away in making his input known, even if he differed from the popular view.
He would stick to his views until he was convinced through a substantial and cogent argument.
In the meetings and programmes of the ANC he would always sing his favoured struggle song, “Tambo, Bambi Sandla Sam”.
He was very ambitious about his ward in Ndlambe, ward 10.
He always wanted his community to benefit in the priorities within the municipality to the extent that he would articulate the views of the ratepayers’ association in meetings of the ANC, within a proper context of nonracialism and equal distribution of resources.
He voluntarily stood as an ANC candidate when there was no-one to take that responsibility.
Cde Bhele loved his family. He shared with many of us photos when his daughter was graduating from Nelson Mandela University.
This was a demonstration of love for his family and his passion about education.
He always encouraged the leadership to educate themselves and encouraged the younger generation to learn politics and acquire deeper understanding of the complex challenges that confronts the people.
He read different contending classics ranging from Adam Smith, the father of capitalism, to Karl Marx, the antithesis of capitalism who advocated for socialism as both a political and economic system.
In his understanding approach to community issues, he would always say: “The material conditions of the people will help us to determine the way forward.”
This is an attestation that he put people ahead of his ambitions. He always embraced the progress and a development of individuals.
He advised how younger cadres could uplift their social well-being.
He was not jealous of other people’s successes.
He hated corruption, but he hated distortion and gossip among comrades more.
Frederick Engels would have said, and I quote: “... and I make bold to say that, though he may have had many opponents, he had hardly one personal enemy.
“His name will endure through the ages, and so also will his work.”
“Masi myeke aphumle, Simnikeni adle kwiziqhamo zezandla zakhe.”
Rest in peace, ideologue, revolutionary warrior, rest in peace “Bhele lama Bhele”.
Aluta Continua. The struggle continues. Hasta siempre!