VEREENIGING – ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula fired up the Vereeniging Civic Hall on May 13 as he delivered the highly anticipated Duma Nokwe Memorial Lecture.

The event attracted party members from all walks of life, dressed in regalia to honour Nokwe’s legacy. Nokwe was a struggle veteran who served as the ANC’s secretary-general from 1958 to 1969. He died in exile in Zambia in 1978, during the height of apartheid.
In September 2024, Nokwe’s remains, along with those of 48 other freedom fighters, were returned from Zambia and Zimbabwe.
Delivering his keynote address, Mbalula said the gathering was more than a lecture, it was a call for action. “Though small in spirit, he [Nokwe] was a giant whose political perspective embraced all humanity. Although Nokwe lived a short life, he left behind a big mirror that will forever help those who heed to navigate their challenges with resilience and fortitude,” he said.

Mbalula did not hold back, using the platform to deliver punches as he warned against corruption and internal party battles.
“Corruption, poor service delivery, arrogance, and social distance are perceptions that engulf our daily politics. It is very easy to be in opposition, but difficult to govern,” Mbalula added.
“Let us not make it easy for our opponents to destroy us by looking inwardly and slaughtering ourselves from within. Let us not celebrate divisions within our organisation,” he said as the hall clapped and screamed ‘bua’ speak.