ANC branch celebrates living legend

It was an evening that stirred up recollections from an illustrious past when the African National Congress’ (ANC) Ike Maphoto branch in Polokwane celebrated the 88th birthday of a living legend and a party veteran whom they named their structure after.
Spirited amandlas and revolutionary songs spiced up a programme that took Maphoto, generally known as Bra Ike in political circles, on a journey of rich memories shared with guests.
With a fancy bash held in the hall of Laerskool Pietersburg-Oos the branch simultaneously crossed a divide that apparently saw them attempting to bury the hatchet amid ongoing engagements with the institution after past conflict over enrolment of school starters.
Following a spiritual message by religious leader Mautji Pataki who stressed the need for counting one’s days to give meaning to one’s life, Oosskool Principal Gideon Pelzer welcomed guests to the venue.

After an opening by ANC Ike Maphoto Branch Chairperson Si Matome, who enlightened comrades on a brief history of Maphoto’s life, Alice Nkoana and Mahlatse Kobe delivered respective messages by the ANC Women’s League and Youth League structures in the branch.
Keynote speaker Rodgers Monama, a member of the Provincial Working Committee (PWC) of the ANC who represented party Provincial Chairperson Stan Mathabatha, ascended the stage to sing Maphoto’s praises in extending congratulations to a revolutionary cadre of the movement. He expressed the opinion that platforms like the one of Monday evening would create an opportunity to engage on challenges confronting the organisation at that point in time, among others an institutionalised factionalism, corruption and class materialism. Underpinning his presentation was the lessons they could learn from Maphoto’s rich legacy, political profile and impeccable struggle credentials, he said. During his address he said Maphoto’s history was immeasurable, adding that he joined the liberation movement when it was not fashionable to do that and the struggle when there were no signs of material benefits.
Monama pointed out that they had to go back to their conscience with a renewed sense of commitment to serve the ANC and the people of South Africa and that they had to be eager to be counted among those comrades the ANC could rely on to build the organisation, the unity, renewing the organisation and creating jobs.
In his message family representative Lazi Maphoto referred to Maphoto’s relatives having continued to carry the spear once he had gone off to join the liberation struggle.
Speaking off the cuff, the older Maphoto addressed the audience in a mix of English and Sepedi as he shared memories from a rich past. He took his audience back to the Sophiatown of 1952 when he joined the ANC. He recalled that he left the country under the ANC banner for Dar es Salaam in 1961. During his stay he had worked under former Tanzanian President Julius Nyerere, he remarked. He remembered a November visit from London by erstwhile ANC President OR Tambo, who sent him to Lebanon around May 1962, he said. He returned to Dar es Salaam in September 1963 and subsequently went to Odessa in the former Soviet Union where he became an MK commander in Russia during the same year. He returned to Africa in 1965. He was sentenced to death after being captured in the then Rhodesia in 1968, a fate which he later escaped, it was learnt.

Informing guests that he was fighting for them, he said: “My history, comrades, was built by you, because you were oppressed.”
As in the case of other speakers, Maphoto referred to his passion for youth empowerment and a commitment to education. He cited the example of Asnath Mahapa – the first African female to obtain an airline transport pilot licence in South Africa – whom he assisted to obtain training.
A surprised Legislature Speaker and branch member, Polly Boshielo arrived to take the honours alongside Maphoto with whom she shared a birthday. She expressed pride in being a member of the branch, said she was able to be who she was because of support from her branch and that it was where she was rooted. She promised to always be grounded and make her branch proud.
In addressing the current political climate in South Africa and positive changes witnessed among ANC structures throughout the country, she said they were all expected to rally behind the leadership and needed to work towards the elections to make sure the ANC won.
Both were bestowed with framed life sketches, before champagne corks cleft the air and the commencement of the cutting of a big birthday cake.
Long after the refrain of Miriam Makeba’s compelling Aluta Continua still hung in the air.

Story & photos: YOLANDE NEL
>>observer.yolande@gmail.com