Thousands of mourners gathered at the Seshego Stadium in Limpopo, for the funeral service of the former Public Works Deputy Minister Mr Ntopile Marcel Kganyago on 27 July 2013. He passed away on 17 July 2013 following a short illness.
At the time of his death, the former Deputy Minister of the Public Works Department - served three portfolio committees in Parliament. Members of the Gauteng Provincial Legislature and the National Parliament attended the service in respect of the late “Professor” Kganyago – as he was affectionately known.
He was described by the Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Education, Hon. Ms Hope Malgas as a committed and selfless servant who would go an extra mile in whatever he was doing. “He was looking at every single matter with extra care and would always bring relevant matters to the table for discussion. His observant approach when dealing with matters made him a true leader who hated unnecessary conflicts and corruption with passion. Professor Kganyago was indeed a man of peace and stability,” Ms Malgas noted.
Seeing his vigour to serve the people with dedication and distinction, the United Democratic Movement (UDM) deployed him to serve in the national government as the Deputy Minister of Public Works and a Member of Parliament (MP). Ntate Kganyago also served in a number of public spheres, as a Municipal Councillor, a Provincial Legislature and as a Deputy President of the political movement, among others.
United Democratic Movement Leader, Mr Bantu Holomisa described the late Mr Kganyago who deputised him in the movement, as a selfless leader who served the country with pride and distinction. Mr Holomisa said that the late Mr Kganyago served every structure with maturity and humility.
Commenting on the late Mr Kganyago, UDM Chief Whip Mr Stanley Zoyisile Ntapane remarked: “He hated corruption as he would account for every cent he used and would always bring receipts forth. We wish we had more leaders who have interest in the public they serve like Professor Kganyago. His humility and maturity in politics lessened my work on his site because he was a man of honour and as such, he knew his role in the party and in government,” said Mr Ntapane.
During his funeral service, Professor Ntopile Kganyago was described by many as an academic, a community-builder, a teacher, a mentor and a politician of note. Despite his age, Mr Kganyago was still involved in a number of community activities.
Kgoshi Moloto III described Kganyago as the role model in the community and advised the community to look up to his examples by taking the baton from where he left off. He told his community that he would want to see a multiple characters of Professor Kganyago.
A number of speakers echoed the same sentiments to say Ntate Kganyago was at all times at the centre of the people and always concerned with issues of the day. The family poet Ragwane Tax Kganyago caught the attention of many with a long and exiting poem for the late Mr Kganyago.
After everything was said and done, a large motorcade took Mr Kganyago to his resting place in the Silicon Cemetery in Polokwane. He is survived by his wife Anna Phuti Kganyago, nine children and ten grandchildren.
