Bongani Masuku mourns Thulani
MBABANE – PUDEMO External Region Chairperson Bongani Masuku says the death of Thulani Rudolf Maseko has left a void in the democratic movement.
Masuku was speaking over the weekend at the Johannesburg Metro Centre, South Africa, during the Memorial Service of the late human rights lawyer, hosted by the People’s United Democratic Movement (PUDEMO) External Region, in collaboration with the Swaziland Solidarity Network (SSN).
In a statement, Masuku said on the night of January 21, 2023, the world froze in disbelief at the shocking news of the brutal, cowardly and unbelievable murder of his humble friend and comrade, Maseko.
Mysteries
“KaLuhleko in Bhunya is a place well known to me, for part of my family has, to date, lived there. It is a place of both mysteries and legends, where various struggles over land dispossessions and the unbearable pain of poverty defines part of the landscape. Little did I know that this place would be part of my lifetime journey and bond in struggle,” he stated.
He said his lifetime friend and intellectual giant at Highgate Cemetery in London, Frederick Engels had this to say about Maseko:
“An immeasurable loss has been sustained both by the militant proletariat of Europe and America, but historical science, in the death of this man. The gap that has been left by the departure of this mighty spirit will soon enough make itself felt,” he said.
Meanwhile, Masuku said the late Musa MJ Dlamini, who first introduced him to Maseko as they began working closer in the then newly formed Swaziland Youth Congress (SWAYOCO) led by Benedict ‘Didiza’ Tsabedze.
“This was to begin a life filled with tense moments of struggles, shared pains and perseverance, yet never ending jokes, humour and outbursts of warm heartily laughter at the same time,” he narrated.
Furthermore, Masuku highlighted that their comradeship and shared trenches was their election to the Students Representative Council (SRC) of 1993 and 1994 in which the university administration put up a determined fight to oppose the elections of ‘trouble-makers and openly-declared comrades’, in a university and country.
He further said from court battles to street fights, closure of the university, to mass meetings at Trade Fair, Bosco Skills Centre, the battles raged on.
He said the group comprised of Thulani
Maseko, Vincent Dlamini, Bongani Masuku, Linus Mavimbela, Comfort Mtsetfwa, Bonginkosi Commander Ntshangase, Velaphi Dlamini, Musa MJ Dlamini and a few others who became steeled in the tough leadership of the then Vice Chancellor Professor Lydia Makhubu.
“The seeds planted during that time were to become the seeds that later blossomed into a generation that was to redefine the course of history in many ways,” he said.
Fierce
Masuku said the late Maseko went on to become a fierce champion of human rights, representing and defending victims from Tinkhundla System of Government and eventually earning himself time in jail.
He said that came after his wife, Tanele Maseko demonstrated her courage and bravery, from one forum to another, all over the world where she was the face of justice for her husband and well-articulated the case of Maseko’s incarceration and persecution.
He saluted Maseko’s wife, who stood by her husband unwaveringly during difficult times. He said he would recall in Pretoria, Johannesburg and various other places, where the international solidarity movement organised to lobby the world on the release of her husband.