RIP, Alderman Mogase
ISAAC Dank Tlagele Mogase (January 25, 1934 to April 27, 2021), was proud of his two cherished roles, the first as a family man and patriarch to his family and second as an anti-apartheid fighter.
And, often, like many of the leaders of the Struggle for democracy, he was compelled to sacrifice his primary role to fulfil, with distinction, his secondary role as an activist.
During this time, he wore many hats including those of community leader, activist, comrade, city councillor, mayor and alderman of the City of Joburg, and parliamentarian.
It is significant to note that the late great Ntate Mogase could not have been so accomplished in either of these roles without the selfless love, support, encouragement and strength of his beloved wife, Netta.
Ntate Mogase was born on January 25, 1934, the third of eight children of the late Abel and Deborah Mogase in Alexandra.
He completed his schooling in Lydenburg, achieving his junior certificate at the top of his class.
He worked for Elgin Structures for more than 30 years until 1986 when he resigned due to extended and frequent periods of detainment for his political activities.
In his late teenage years in the 1950s, he joined the ANC Youth League in Alexandra, during which time he played a leading role in the Alexandra bus boycott.
He served as founder and chairperson of the Diepkloof Civic Association, which was founded in 1979 as the first civic association in the country after a collision between a Putco bus and a McPhail coal lorry in which many Diepkloof residents were killed.
Ntate Mogase later served as one of the three co-presidents of the Soweto Civic Association when it was founded in 1984 alongside the late Dr Nthato Motlana and Rev Frank Chikane.
In 1985, Mogase was one of the leaders who were instrumental in the establishment of the Soweto Parents’ Crisis Committee during the state of emergency period.
After the advent of democracy, he went on to assist in the formation of the National Student Financial Aid Scheme in 1996.
From 1995 to 2000, Ntate Mogase served as the first post-apartheid mayor of the then-Greater Johannesburg Metropolitan Council.
From 2004, he served as a parliamentarian for the ANC, and in 2007 as the party’s chief whip in Parliament under former president Thabo Mbeki.
Ntate Mogase was later conferred the title of alderman of the City of Joburg.
He was aptly described as “a doyen and trailblazer of the civic movement and a veteran of the freedom Struggle”, and how profound it was that he should rise to the great heavens on the day of the 27th anniversary of our nation’s Freedom Day.
Ntate Mogase leaves his wife Netta Bushy; his three children, Thabo, Mutle and Matshidiso; daughters-inlaw, Anna, Mendy, and Baba; sonin-law Promise; nine grandchildren, Paballo, Kekeletso, Kamogelo, Pontsho, Thabang, Lehlohonolo, Lerato, Neo and Nkem; and three great grandchildren, Dulcanna, Amile and Amara.
He is also survived by his siblings, Nkile, Shimane, Maria, Manthime and Mananeng.
A true gentle giant among the greatest of giants, we will never forget, Robala ka kgotso Mokwena, kgosi
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