Eulogy: MK Dingake
Director(s) of today’s memorial service, I am mindful that there are dignitaries in our midst today, on this solemn occasion, to bid farewell to Uncle MK Dingake. Allow me to say, protocol observed. My name is Refilwe Dingake, daughter to Justice Dingake – the younger brother to MK Dingake.
My father is not able to be with us today. He is trapped in the bowels of the Pacific Ocean and unable to be home to bid his brother farewell. He has asked that I read this eulogy of his brother on his behalf. He would have loved to be here. He sends his sincerest apologies. Those who know my Dad know his style of delivery. Should I fall short, I ask that you bear with me.
We are gathered here to mourn the passing of my brother, a Freedom Fighter, a stalwart of the ANC, a human rights defender and a Founding President of the Botswana Congress Party (BCP). Today, as the nation bids this larger-than-life figure farewell, we are at the same time celebrating a life lived to the full; the richness of which has inspired thousands of freedom fighters in this country and many parts of the world.
“Let Freedom reign!” Nelson Mandela remarked on a mantra that MK lived up to his entire life. “Let my people free,” Moses would urge Pharoah.
A giant has fallen. My brother taught us that leaders are not born but are produced by struggle. He taught us that individuals do not make history, yet paradoxically, every historical epoch produces a leader endowed with the skill to direct the course of events. MK was one of those individuals who directed the course of events in this country and South Africa. In many respects, MK was a unique revolutionary, institution. Those of us who grew up under his tutelage know that he was never afraid to walk through the valley of death to liberate his people. Such is the life we are celebrating today!
May MK live forever!
It is precisely because of these qualities that MK is loved by all freedom-loving people in this country and beyond. History records that soon after Mandela was arrested, he was one of those ANC leaders who took charge of MK operations. He planned and inspired many of the most daring operations that shook the foundations of the racist Apartheid establishment. MK was also a member of the South African Communist Party (SACP). He was both a theoretician and a tactician who understood that without a progressive theoretical foundation, it is difficult to mount a proper struggle that can liberate the people. He therefore understood that to successfully prosecute the struggle for the people the unity of the oppressed is of paramount significance. He also emphasised that the oppressed are the authors of their liberation. MK also taught that in any struggle an understanding and an appreciation of the balance of forces was critical to advance the struggle. Thus, he was able to appreciate changes in the objective conditions of the struggle that required a change of tactics.
A few years ago, we differed sharply on the question of whether the material conditions on the ground have changed so much as to require a total reconfiguration of progressive forces to deal with the oppressive status quo. I took the view that they had. He did not share my perspective. His views were like those of Futhas, one of the finest social justice crusaders of our country. Both ended up going along with the majority, but it was clear they were not convinced. I had thought I would find time before his passing to own up and say to him that maybe I erred in my analysis then. I will probably deposit my concession to Futhas; and hope that he shall find a way to relay the concession to him.
MK was the embodiment of discipline, principle and integrity. In him, we have lost a leader whose qualities are unequalled and irreplaceable.
MK knew well in the words of Martin Luther King that “freedom is never voluntarily given by the oppressor; it must be demanded by the oppressed.”
When MK went to prison, I was just an infant, at three years old. We would grow up knowing that we had a brother who was a political prisoner at Robbin Island. This imbued in me a spirit of defiance and later as a university student I would be involved in student activism in the footsteps of MK. As a family, MK inspired us to fight for justice.
In our family, MK is a once-in-alifetime giant, he did not relent in his quest for social justice. His was a life of service to others without expectation of reward. This attribute of MK reminds me of what Nelson Mandela once said: “There can be no greater gift than that of giving one’s time and energy to helping others without expecting anything in return.”
MK was an artistic writer. A fierce debater. Being the writer he was MK has contributed in no small way to the political and social justice written work in Botswana. Never the one to shy away from fraternising in social media, speaking truth to power and standing up for what he believed in. And whereas elders tend to have trepidation and dread engaging in fury political debates with the young, especially in this age of social media, MK pulled no punches and waded into any debate. In a turbulent world today, we seek inspiration from the way he led his life, and it would augur well to emulate this life well lived.
As we bid this icon of our people farewell, we remember again one of his abiding teachings, being that life is after all a terminal illness and that there is nothing, we can do about it. We will all at some stage depart this world. But we are better off emulating MK by simply doing all we can to make life better for other people. MK like my Dad, did not like people mourning a person as if they have no faith in a better future. However, if you see tears in many people whose lives he has touched bursting out like a dam that has come asunder, it is because it is difficult to believe that MK is no more! We shall always remember the sacrifices MK made to liberate the oppressed. In MK our people have lost a leader like no other.
Death should be ashamed of taking MK at this time of our history as a nation. It should however not claim victory. It should be ashamed because it does not have the power to erase from our memories the commitment of MK to ensure that the poor are fed, properly housed, cared for and live a life of dignity.
Having sketched MK’s contribution to freedom and social justice in broad strokes, it is correct to say that MK wouldn’t want you to mourn and just sit at your homes and do nothing. He would urge you to mobilise or perish!
MK’s contributions belong to history, but they can inspire the future – and the youth can draw on his teachings and experience to liberate themselves. None of us can afford to simply bask in the lessons of history, even those as glorious as those of MK. But if we learn from history, we can use those lessons to carve a bright future for ourselves. After this icon of our people is laid to rest, let us go back and introspect and ask ourselves the question: how can I contribute to social justice in my country? And when injustice weighs heavy in our hearts, when darkness engulfs our nation, let’s provide the light to dispel darkness, because we know from MK’s teachings that we are our own liberators.
As I conclude, it is proper to recall the words, of MK’s friend, Poet Wally Serote, when he wrote: “from smouldering ashes of our bones the amber glows, for in life tribulations give birth to hope and wisdom”. There is hope on the horizon. It has been raining recently and we can see the green offshoots mushrooming all over our country. We have reason to expect a bumper harvest. Rest in peace, my dear brother, father, mentor and keeper. I shall miss you sorely. I once again assure you that, we your family, shall honour your legacy and shall never dishonour the cause of justice. Robala ka Kagiso Sejie! We will miss you deeply.
May God bless the memory of MK. May God bless the people of Botswana.