She had stared death in the eye many a time. She never dithered in her resolve. Her commitment to the cause was beyond reproach. She chose to follow the path of righteousness and be with her people in times of hardship.
As a woman of cloth she would have led a content and simple life in the sanctuary of the church. But she knew that her life would never be content as long as the masses of South Africa are not free and safe. She gave all she had for the liberation struggle.
Sister Bernard, as she was passionately known as, served her people in various capacities as directed and determined by the liberation movement. She operated as an internal conduit for the then banned African National Congress at great risk. She was always in the forefront of women struggle for emancipation in her capacity as the President of Federation of Transvaal Women (FEDTRAW).
In government she served her people with diligence and passion that only Sister Bernard can congregate. As a Mayor, she never used her position to achieve personal glory or cultivate influence that will serve her own agenda. She was always a pacifier who prefers to work within a collective of different voices in order to foster unity and respect. She prefers silence with focus and purpose to loudness which lacks those two critical elements.
She was a builder not a destroyer since destruction, she knew, is a more attractive and easy occupation for those whose life has no meaningful purpose. Many a times her leadership was tested by both internal and external forces but she remained committed.
She understood that her religious calling will only have a contextual meaning if married with the civil duty for justice, freedom and equality for all in South Africa. As a result, Sister Bernard led in the front during the dark days of apartheid in the township of Kagiso. She was instrumental in the mobilisation and organisation of resistance against repression and brutalisation meted out by the military in our townships.
When harassed and intimidated by an evil and cowardly system of segregationists, she never even once gave in and betrayed the struggle. She was willing and prepared to pay the ultimate price for freedom and democracy.
She was not in a struggle for any other reason but to liberate and serve her people. Even when the triumph of democracy prevailed, she never demanded to be recognised or worshipped by those she led. In her humility, she continued to work for a better life for all. This was the rich and bright life of Sister Bernard. Many of us can tear a leaf from this rich life lived in full without betraying the principles on which our liberation struggle is based on.
Today, 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 Sister Bernard cherished. Let us commit ourselves to perpetuating her legacy of righteousness, selflessness and service to the people. It is only when we pursue these virtues that we can then claim to be true comrades of Sister Bernard.
To the bereaved family, I would like to assure you that in this hour of sadness you are not alone. The people of this country have also lost a great leader, sister and mother. We are with you in pain and sorrow. However, you should find solace in that Sister Bernard travelled her journey and conquered. She has now given the baton to all of us to continue with what she sought to achieve, the total liberation of the people of South Africa.
As we mourn her loss, let us remember in find strength in the words of Mary Frye, the poetess:
Do not stand at my grave and weep,
I am not there, I do not sleep.
I am in a thousand winds that blow,
I am the softly falling snow.
Lala ngoxolo Qhawekazi.
Dankie. Ngiyabonga.
Gauteng Premier, Ms Nomvula Mokonyane, pays tribute to Sister Bernard Ncube
Province
