Programme Director;
The bereaved family;
Fellow mourners;
Comrades and friends;
Ladies and gentlemen.
I feel highly honoured to be paying tribute to this queen-warrior of our struggle. She was one amongst a galaxy of stars born of struggle for the liberation of our motherland, South Africa.
Fezi, as you were affectionately known, you roared like a lioness in the field of struggle, you engaged with vigour among your comrades, you humbled yourself before your peers, as a woman, you kept your family fires burning, you remained in the frontline of the struggles for the total emancipation of women, you offered your life for the service of our people to the last day of your life, but above all you served our movement with distinction.
Sarah Grimke, a fervent champion of women’s rights and our forebear in the struggles of women emancipation captured what you stood for as a woman when she says that women do not ask for favours for whom they are and that they will not surrender their claim to equality among their men folk.
Much has been said in the past week about the life and times of Fezi Ngubentombi. I beg your indulgence as I stand here before you today to add my voice to these thousands around the country who have praised the humble servant of the people we are saying farewell to today.
I think Premier Ace Magashule was spot-on when he said, “there was only one Fezi” during this week’s memorial service in Bloemfontein. There was only one Fezi. Her humility; her selflessness; her dedication and her unwavering commitment to serve the poorest of the poor made her an outstanding example of what a leader of ANC Women’s League should be. Indeed, the late Fezi was cut from the cloth as gallant leaders of our movement such as Mama Albertina Sisulu, Sophie de Bruyn and Charlotte Maxeke.
Programme Director
Dare I say, that no amount of oratory or eloquence can succinctly capture in one still picture the life and times of this heroine of our struggle. Her life was snuffed away from our midst in a twinkling of an eye. We all looked perplexed and dazed as we gazed in amazement as to why she was the one chosen to be next in line.
Painfully, we came to understand that God, our creator, only look for the best candidates to fill the vacancies that may have been created in His Heavenly Place. Alas! When death strikes in any family, we begin to discern the omnipotence of God, and we, therefore then, come to the realisation that all of us face the same inevitable fate.
When I heard about the passing of Comrade Fezi this past week my heart bled. I could not believe what had happened because Comrade Fezi still had much to offer us. Those of us who had been working with Comrade Fezi in the Women’s League for a while know the calibre of leader that this servant of the people was. Her energy and inputs will forever be missed.
As we mourn the silence of a beautiful voice and the dimming of a bright star, let us do so by recommitting ourselves to the values and principles that Comrade Fezi cherished. Let us commit ourselves to perpetuating her legacy of righteousness, selflessness and service to the people.
Comrade Fezi was a gallant freedom fighter, a rising political star and was deeply committed to changing the lives of the poor in the Free State and South Africa, as a whole. She epitomised the zeal and understanding that women participate in the struggle in their own right; and not as appendages of men.
Today, let us celebrate the life of a woman who lived her life to the fullest. At all material times, she defended the image and integrity of government. We have been robbed of a true and caring servant.
Her dedication and commitment to the work of the Free State Provincial Government will leave a lasting legacy to ensure that a better life is achieved for all. Indeed she was taken from us far too soon; she still had so much to contribute not only to the people of Free State but to the people of South Africa, and Africa as a whole.
As we bid farewell to Fezi and join hands in committing her mortal remains to the soil, let us all answer to the clarion call of nation-building and social cohesion. Let us demonstrate our clear understanding of the challenges at hand, mindful of the fact that our efforts towards nation-building and social cohesion should not only be in revolutionary slogans, but in real action that must change the lives of our people.
Programme Director,
To the bereaved family; I would like to assure you that you are not alone in this dark hour. We share your loss and feel your pain. To us her peers, she has left an indelible footprint. May you find comfort in the knowledge that Fezi lived her life with purpose and enriched many through her work.
I hope you will find solace in the followings words of the scripture: Revelation 21:4 - He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.
May the love of God, His Grace and guidance shine on you.
On behalf of the Gauteng Provincial Government, we say to the friends and family - especially her children: Aluhlanga Lungehlanga!
Dankie.
Ngiyabonga
