AN ACTOR’S TRIBUTE TO SLAIN DR GOMOLEMO MOKAE

Words cannot describe how the nation felt upon hearing news of the passing of Black Consciousness Movement firebrand, an intelectual giant, renowned author of several books and TV dramas scriptwriter Dr Gomolemo Mokae .

The publicised police report indicates that he was murdered in his house in Ga-Rankuwa township north of the capital, Pretoria.

In the 1980’s during the height of apartheid, the larger-than-life Dr Mokae served as Azapo’s Publicity Secretary. By then, he gallantly articulated three vital demands for SA liberation Struggle, which he described as majority rule, land back to black people and equal distribution of wealth.

Safe to say, the democratic SA led by the first president Nelson Mandela achieved one out of the three demands, which is the majority rule through national election process. But as for the land back to the rightful owners and distribution of wealth,  those demands are still a mirage to this day for previously oppressed masses. 

Let’s not forget, the 1996 adopted Constitution preamble states that “SA belongs to all those who live in it”. I doubt as to whether son of the soil Dr Mokae agreed to that notion.

Even though the apartheid government’s evil grinding machinery failed to kill him during dark days of SA, the people he dearly loved and liberated killed him mercilessly in democratic SA.  

The last couple years of the life of this noble man can be scripted for one- man show – theatre play identical to the 1969 Boesman and Lena play by playwright Athol Fugard, who sadly passed away a few days ago, too. 

Although Dr Mokae was forgotten by people in higher places, his ordinary fellow countrymen held him in the highest esteem to the end. 

Those who knew Dr Mokae shall forever cherish his kindness and courageous commitment to the black community. His humor, warmth and compassion will continue to inspire future generations. 

While the police are working hard to find the criminals who killed the “People’s Doctor” the nation, gripped by shock and fear, shall mourn Dr Mokae in tears of sorrow. On Tuesday, I shall be one of the multitudes that will gather in Ga-Rankuwa to bid him farewell. Rest in eternal peace my friend, and rise in glory. You will never be forgotten