Programme directors
His Majesty Thovhele Midiyavhathu Tshivhase
Other honoured traditional leaders
Secretary-general of ANC
General-secretary of South African Communist Party
General-secretary of Congress of South African Trade Union
The leadership of South African National Civic Organisation
Ministers and deputy ministers
Members of the Executive Council
Speaker and deputy speaker of the provincial legislature
Executive Mayor of Vhembe Councillor Falaza Mdaka
Executive mayors and mayors
Provincial police commissioner
Provincial Secretary of the ANC Joe comrade Maswanganyi
The leadership of the ANC Women’s League
The leadership of the ANC Youth League led by comrade Julius Malema
The leadership of Young Communist League led by Buti Manamela
The leadership of South African Students Congress and Congress of South African Students
Stalwarts and veterans of our liberation struggle, Mkhondo We Sizwe Military Veteran's Association and
African National Congress Veteran's League
Distinguished guests
Compatriots and comrades
It is with deep sorrow and pain that we have gathered here, this morning of 15 August 2009, to formally part ways with the cold and quiet body of a revolutionary. We have travelled from all corners of our beautiful province and the country at large to bid farewell to a brave leader, in the person of comrade Pandelani ‘Sparks’ Ramagoma.
Just few hours from the celebrations of the Women’s Day, we woke up to the sad news about the passing on of a member of the provincial executive committee responsible for Public Works. It is still like a dream to us, that one of the giants of our struggle for a better life for all is no more. It is worth emphasising that he met his death in the course of duty, whilst travelling with his driver, whose body will also be laid to rest, a stone's throw from here. As the ANC led government, we lower our banner in mourning their sudden departure.
Programme director
We have convened our mourning hearts at this part of our ancestral land to salute a comrade. We have indeed converged here to witness the triumph of death over the human body of one of our selfless fighters. Death has once more overwhelmed our hearts with pain. We are meeting here today in the far north of our province, with our broken hearts, to mourn the death of our father, brother, uncle, friend, and comrade.
But as we bow our weeping hearts, we cannot fail our obligation to celebrate the memorable life of this hero of our people. We are celebrating the life of a patriot who devoted his life to the struggle for a better life for all and who served his province with honour and distinction. It is indeed, worthy to celebrate the life of a man who sacrificed his time on this earth to ensure that others live freely without atrocious conventions.
The immense contribution that Comrade Sparks made in the struggle for a free and democratic South Africa can never disappear from our memories and history. Comrade Sparks, as he was popularly known in our midst, was a dependable partner in the struggle to eliminate the minority system of oppression. He joined the war against apartheid when it was dreadfully dangerous. When he enrolled his name in the fight against the oppressive regime, he did so not prophesying that one day he will live to see democracy. He actually volunteered to die.
We are here to pay homage to a communist revolutionary. He was well educated in the teachings of communism in particular and the politics of the left in general. He understood the various responsibilities that must be played by each member structure of the alliance. He appreciated the fact that the alliance partners needed each other in the course of building a non-racial, non-sexist, democratic and prosperous South Africa. Comrade Sparks understood the reasons for having a strong alliance and with each member ally maintaining his own independent character within a cooperation framework.
None among us, today, can refuse the fact that Comrade Sparks fought hard to ensure that the ANC, South African Communist Party (SACP) and Congress of South African Trade Union (COSATU) remain as an alliance, whose formation comes from the blood and sweat of our people. He viewed the alliance as the vanguard capable of mobilising everyone behind the mission of creating a democratic South Africa. He was always vigilant to any agenda that was aimed at weakening the movement. He differed with any course that had the potential to defocus the movement from delivering on its promises to the people of South Africa.
A valiant, courageous and immovable leader has fallen, fighting for the positive development of the living conditions of our people. Our government headed by the ANC, pay eternal tribute to this leader for his monumental contribution to the great advances made towards bettering the lives of the working class and the general masses of the people.
Programme director
We have not converged here only to pay homage to a revolutionary compatriot, but we are also meeting here to pay our respect to an administrator. As a true member of the movement, Comrade Sparks was an all-rounder. After serving in the first democratically elected provincial legislature, he was redeployed to be the supreme administrator as the head of the department of Local Government and Housing.
On the account of his understanding that the movement possesses the authority to deploy its cadres anywhere it deems fit, Comrade Sparks was even ready and prepared to serve the ANC led government as a senior general manager in the Office of the Premier. This he did despite the fact that he had already served in an elected position as a member of the provincial legislature.
Owing to his loyalty and proven ability to serve the people, it did not come as a surprise when he was re-elected to serve in the provincial legislature as a Member of the Executive Council (MEC). Comrade Sparks was a gifted leader with many unbelievable talents. At all times, he knew that his personal interests can never supersede the plans of the movement. He always ensured that the interests of our movement are protected and implemented, without expecting any reward. The people of our province and the country at large have lost a true man.
The best way to celebrate the life of this hero is for us to work tirelessly in meeting the expectations of our people. We must provide water, sanitation, electricity to South Africans. We must not wait for street protests before we deliver on our promises. As we told people on several occasions that we will give them decent jobs, and decent houses suitable for human settlement, we are duty bound not to renege. We must not fail the trust that the masses of our country have given to us.
In the midst of celebrating the life of this revolutionary, we must ensure that the doors of learning and culture are opened to all. We must also make it a reality that our rural areas are genuinely developed. We have a responsibility to ensure that health care facilities of our people are improved and increased for the benefit of all.
Comrade Sparks; I am certain that you will remember the words echoed by Comrade Dr Yusuf Dadoo in 1978 when paying tribute to the late Moses Kotane.
He said: “In the life of every nation there arise men who leave an indelible and eternal stamp on the history of their people, men who are both products and makers of history. And when they pass they leave a vision of a new and better life and the tools with which to win and build it.” Your contribution will remain ceaselessly engraved in our recollections. When we heard about your untimely departure, we immediately new that you are leaving behind a legacy and a footprint that will continue to inspire us until the day we meet you. You are leaving us with an important tool, in the form of your contribution, from which we will continue building a concrete establishment to fight poverty amongst South Africans.
Together with you, we made a pledge to all South Africans and the people of Limpopo during the recent elections that service delivery shall become the focal point of our government. We will miss your robust contribution to our discussions. Our executive committee meetings will never be the same without you. Through your remarkable involvement in struggle for a better life for all, you qualify to be classified as one of the most outstanding working class and national leaders of our time.
We fully appreciate that you were human just like us. Our memories will contain both the positive and negative things that you did. We will keep in mind the victories that we scored together and the defeats that we shared together. As we did not search for the negatives you did whilst you were still alive, we cannot embark on such a process now because you are no more. It is always in the nature of cowards to vilify the names of the deceased people.
Some of us who had the privilege of working closely with you cannot imagine the gap that you are leaving in our course. We always felt hopeful with your presence in the voyage towards poverty free South Africa. We have long conceded to the fact that we are not foreigners to the graveyard, but yet we are still struggling to come to terms with your death. Your memory will remain everlasting in our minds.
Programme director
The grave of Comrade Sparks shall serve as a monument for many generations to come. His name will be counted when history count the names of heroes who were born and bred in our province, such as Sefako Makgatho, Mark Shope, Peter Nchabeleng, Peter Mokaba, France Mohlala, Ephraim Mogale, Bachana Mokoena, Ngoako Ramalepe, Josephine Moshobane, Thembi Skosana, David Phologa, Shadrack Mofokoane, Fawcert Mathebe, Elvis Mavuso, Norman Mashabane, Lufuno Mulaudzi, Tracy Malatjie, Maxwell Mulaudzi, Dzivhuluwani Muregu, Screamer Mamathuba, Marie-Stella Sexwale Mabitjie, Mahwidi John Phala and many others.
As we prepare ourselves to start the last journey with the mortal remains of Comrade Sparks to his last resting place, our hearts and comforts go to his mother, his wife, his children and all family members. The ANC will remain indebted to Comrade Sparks’s family for having given to the struggle the person of his stature. We all know the pain and sacrifices that you as the family went through.
Programme director
A true spear has fallen. We should pickup the spear and proceed with the struggle. We will forever draw strength and courage from the work of Comrade Sparks.
Muhali wa Vhahali!
A Communist to the end
Kha vha edele nga mulalo singo!
Rest in peace my brother.
Issued by: Limpopo Provincial Government
15 August 2009
Source: Limpopo Provincial Government (http://www.limpopo .gov.za/)
