The family of a late Tembisa ANC stalwart thanked all who gave their support in laying to rest Comrade Fora, who was buried on Saturday, January 7.
Mrs Vera Majola, on behalf of the Makgosa family, thanked the community, ANC members and the Umkhonto weSizwe Military Veterans’ Association (MKMVA) for being there for the family in ensuring that their comrade, Maputi Ephraim Makgosa, received a dignified burial.
Mrs Majola, the daughter of Makgosa, said her father was pivotal in the struggle against the apartheid regime.
“Comrade Fora was among the cadres who transported MK recruits to training for armed combat and also in selecting safe houses for soldiers returning from exile,” said Mrs Majola.
Mrs Majola said Comrade Fora’s service in the struggle against oppression dated back to 1976, when he refined his leadership skills in the Black People Convention (BPC) Tembisa branch.
“The memory I have about my father’s service to the movement is how he offered our house to MK cadres who were hiding from the apartheid police. He made faithful sacrifices, which meant we shared family resources with the soldiers and he spent his time making sure the cadres were well looked after,” said Mrs Majola.
She said not only did her father participate in political movements, but he was also active in civic associations and workers’ unions.
The MKMVA’s Mr Moffat Moloi said Comrade Fora’s first jailing as a political prisoner came when all the Tembisa BPC members were arrested on their way to Steven Biko’s funeral.
“Thereafter it became the norm, where Comrade Fora and other comrades were in and out of jail, coupled with torture,” said Mr Moloi.
He said during one of the detention periods, Comrade Fora resolved to take the struggle to a higher level and sought a party to join. He found the ANC and never looked back.
Mr Moloi said when liberation movements were unbanned, Comrade Fora campaigned, with great zeal, for ANC support, which saw the party enter government for the first time.
He said Comrade Fora’s input in the freedom struggle will not be forgotten.
