“I cannot be remembered as someone who kept quiet when things went bad.” These were words shared by Mandla Martin Mohlala on his WhatsApp status two days before he died in a car accident. On Saturday morning, messages of condolences were shared on social media regarding his untimely death.

This 29-yearold was well-known in the community of Lydenburg/Mashishing, Skhila and surrounding areas as a person who fought and represented the youth without fear. He died in an accident outside Burgersfort after he collided with a chrome truck on his way to his family. Mohlala was a contractor at Glencore Smelter and employ young locals to empower them.

As a forerunner, he has been involved in various organisations, although he was recently involved in the Save SA Smelter project.

During an interview with Steelburger/Lydenburg News, he said the project aimed to save job in Lydenburg/Mashishing and other towns.

According to his close friend, Billy Mankgane the people have lost a fearless leader and if he could he would give his own life just to save Mohlala. Mankgane was one of the few people who were called to the scene of the accident and he had the opportunity to see Mohlala before he died.

“I was called to the scene, and honestly on my way there I was not worried because this was not the first time that he was involved in an accident. On arrival, I realised the situation was different and from the phone calls I received from those that were with him at Mecklenburg Hospital, things were bad. On my way there I wanted to turn around because I could not stand the thought of him in that state. The only reason I didn’t is that he was my brother, not just a friend,” he said.

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Messages on social media described his death as a great loss to the community. Those that were close him said they wished the community could have known the man he was to them.

Veliswa Ndlovu, a comrade, who was also called to the scene by the police on the day of the accident said, “I could not believe my eyes when I saw his car and his body on that hospital bed. He came into my life and became the brother I never had and he changed my life,” she said.

Samora Mlotja said Mohlala was his friend, brother and business advisor. “He loved his community and moreover the people of Skhila.

He inspired many young people in Lydenburg/Mashishing by being the first person to invest in property and to do business that was mostly a white-dominated business which is refractory.”  

Power Motsileng, who was Mohlala’s mentor and played the role of a big brother, said the community has lost a diamond and a giant.

“He had big plans for Save SA Smelter project. He was reading books, he was full of life and he easily adapted to things.”

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On Tuesday his friends and former colleagues went to his home to pay respect to the family in Jane Furse.

On Thursday a memorial service will be held at Mashishing Recreational Centre at noon. He will be laid to rest on Saturday at Jane Furse. For more information contact Mankgane on 072-380-6498.