Picture: Tracey Adams/African news Agency (ANA) – Houses to be handed over to successful applicants of a land claim in Wallacedene. The suburb has been named after Prof Wallace Mgoqi in honour of his work to ensure expropriation of the land for the good of the people.
By Mnyamezeli (Nyami) Booi
A pioneer of the Black Consciousness movement. An activist of the African National Congress.
He who exuded so much wisdom. A mentor. A fountain of knowledge, a well so many activists drank from.
A freedom fighter … a defender of the downtrodden. He whose name will never die.
Wallacedene is named after him. Our lodestar is no more. Umabonakude wabantu [the people’s voice, information] has now ceased to breathe.
An orator of note who spoke without fear or favour. We learnt so much from his feet during the dark days of apartheid.
The former municipal manager of the City of Cape Town is now quiet forever but his glorious deeds will forever speak even to generations to come.
The people of Ndabeni who have their land settled back to them are testimony of his heroic deeds.
Cira, you have run a good race.
Rest now Ntswentswe, phumla Nojaholo.
Good night….
*Mnyamezeli (Nyami) Booi served as an MP in the democratic Parliament of South Africa for 25 years. Booi is an anti-apartheid activist,who served in organisations of the liberation movement such as the Congress of South African Students, South African Youth Congress and trade union, SARHWU. Booi served, among others, as the ANC Chief Whip in the Standing Committee of Public Accounts (Scopa) during the fifth Parliament.
This article is original to the The African. To republish, see terms and conditions.
