Hundreds at memorial for Lucas Mangope

FORMER Bophuthatswana leader Kgosi Lucas Mangope was a visionary leader, mourners heard.

“He could see far from our horizon... his qualities and products are visible,” said Josias Hlongwa, narrating how Mangope loved education. He was speaking at Mangope’s memorial service in Motswedi near Zeerust. Mangope died on January 18, aged 94.

Hlongwa said the defunct homeland leader commissioned a study before the middle school system was implemented in the former homeland. “He believed in research, he commissioned professors to study the model. The middle school model was researched it was not thumb-sucked,” he said to a chorus of applause from the audience. He said the middle school concept was necessary as it meant a pupil would go through three examinations before tertiary education.

During her visit to schools in Madibeng municipality on January 17, Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga pointed out that the North West (formerly Bophuthatswana homeland) province must consider phasing out middle schools as it was not fitting well in the education system. Hlongwa said through Mangope’s vision, manpower centres were built and the centre produced job creators, not job seekers.

Another speaker, Sidney Mothoagae, said Mangope created Agrico, an organisation aimed at promoting agriculture in Bophuthatswana. Mangope was the founder of the United Christian Democratic Party (UCDP). In 2011 he was fired from the party for allegedly making unilateral decisions and expelling senior party members. He challenged his expulsion

HE MADE IT CLEAR BOPHUTHATSWANA WOULD REMAIN INDEPENDENT OF THE NEW SOUTH AFRICA