Programme Director,
Premier of the Free State, Ace Magashule,
Members of the Free State Executive Council,
Heads of Departments,
Government officials,
The family and relatives of the late Joe Mafereka,
Pastors and Priests present here today,
All Ministries in our midst today,
Friends and comrades,
Distinguished guests,
Ladies and gentlemen.
On behalf of the North West Provincial Government I greet you all in the name of the Lord during this difficult time and I wish to pay my heartfelt and earnest condolences to the Mafereka family, relatives and friends.
Ladies and gentlemen today we join the Free State government and its communities at large in mourning, as we have lost an astute, committed and disciplined loyal servant of the people. Joe Mafereka has unequivocally served his country and tirelessly devoted his life to the betterment of the lives of our people. To the Mafereka family, The North West provincial government shares your sorrow, and your grief is our grief.
One good author Marcus Tullius Cicero once said “The life of the dead is placed in the memory of the living". Indeed the thought of the passing of Joe Mafereka, leaves our hearts bleeding with sorrow, pain and misery.
The people of North West know him better as a legend in traditional matters of different ethnic groups and customary law especially Basotho.
Having served in the Free State provincial government on different responsibilities (MEC for Sports, Arts and Recreation to MEC for Local Government and Housing and Speaker of the Free State legislature) ntate Mafereka also shared his expertise with the North West provincial government as of January 2011.
At the time of his passing he was serving as the North West Chairperson of the Commission on Traditional Leadership Disputes and Claims and was also serving in the commission’s national structure.
Under his leadership the provincial committee recorded significant progress and cleared the backlog of traditional disputes and claims. He immensely contributed in restoring the dignity of the institution of traditional leadership in the North West Province.
We are proud to mention amongst others to this gathering that just over a month ago, through the leadership of the Premier of the North West mme Thandi Modise we have issued a recognition certificate to the leader of Bahurutshe baga Moiloa - Kgosi Kgolo Keobusitse Moiloa III and to Kgosi Maubane.
This is after the long instability in the Dinokana area brought by the battle for the chieftainship after the passing of Kgosi Moiloa. This was one of the difficult chieftainship dispute cases but with the commitment of the Commissioner Mafereka we managed to crack the dispute. This is just but few of the cases that can bear testimony to the immeasurable deeds of Mr Mafereka.
Due to his dedication, this legend leaves behind more stable and viable institutions of traditional leadership and we couldn’t have asked for a better commissioner.
Ladies and Gentlemen, Commissioner Mafereka leaves behind a legacy of selflessness and dedication. His untimely death has robbed the country of a humble but assertive leader who performed his duty with utmost integrity and without fear or favour.
Without a doubt, he had so much to offer to South Africans and death has robbed us of a pioneer and humble leader. He will forever be remembered as a fearless warrior, a loyal servant of our people and a skilled negotiator who always strived for unity and peace.
Once again my condolences to his family, friends and comrades, may they find comfort in the full life Mafereka has lived and the legacy he leaves behind.
May his soul rest in peace.
I thank you!
