Slain Black Consciousness leader Dr Gomolemo Mokae was laid to rest in a revolutionary service attended by throngs of his comrades who turned up in large numbers.
The funeral service was held at the majestic Thabong lodge in Ga-Rankuwa, Dr Mokae’s lifetime township. He was later laid to rest at the local Kgabalatsane cemetery after a four-hour service that was addressed by various heartbroken but defiant speakers.
Dr Mokae found murdered in his Ga-Rankuwa Zone 1 home north of Pretoria on March 5, several days since he was last seen alive on February 28. He was discovered by concerned neighbours who undertook a search for him, knowing that he led a solitary life.
To the shock of the community, the “People’s Doctor” was found with three bullets – two in both arms and one in the chest. He also bore a terrible cut to his head and traces of blood were in his bedroom where he was found. There were also signs that his body was dragged from another room and left next to his bed in his bedroom. Foot prints identified also suggested there was more than one attacker.
Tshwane police have confirmed that they are investigating a case of murder and robbery. They also revealed that their investigations were at an advanced stage and an arrest was imminent.
Bishop Sidwell Mokgothu of the Methodist church presided over the emotional service. He said Dr Mokae’s violent death showed that he was let down by the same community he valued highly throughout his life. “Life in democratic South Africa stripped Dr Mokae naked. It mocked him,” Bishop Mokgothu said. Among speakers who addressed scores of mourners were the surviving Mokae brothers, Nick and Johnny. They thanked the community of Ga-Rankuwa for always looking after their slain brother.
Also among those who spoke were BC stalwarts Prof Itumeleng Mosala and Lybon Mabasa. “The people who killed Dr Mokae do not qualify to be regarded as human beings,” Mabasa said. “Surely, they will not like what they see when they look themselves in the mirror,” he added angrily.
Prof Mosala mentioned a list of several Black Consciousness Movement leaders who were assassinated through various intervals of his history. Among them Steve Biko, Mapetla Mohapi, Mthuthuzeli Ka Shezi, Muntu Ka Myeza, Onkgopotse Tiro (killed with a letter bomb after fleeing to exile in Botswana) and now Dr Mokae. “The revolution devours them, but not the Azanian revolution,” Prof Mosala said.
Prof Mosala mentioned a list of several Black Consciousness Movement leaders who were assassinated through various intervals of his history. Among them Steve Biko, Mapetla Mohapi, Mthuthuzeli Ka Shezi, Muntu Ka Myeza, Onkgopotse Tiro (killed with a letter bomb after fleeing to exile in Botswana) and now Dr Mokae. “The revolution devours its own children. The Azanian revolution does not do that,” Prof Mosala said.
President of the Azanian People’s Organization (AZAPO), Nelvis Qekema, said the absence of self-love and black solidarity was at the heart of acts of criminality such as the killing of Dr Mokae.
At the graveside, Dr Mokae was laid to rest in a revolutionary fashion he would be proud of. Former AZAPO President Strike Thokoana led the singing of the Struggle songs, and the performance of the Azanian last rites for the hugely popular medic who had stopped practicing after suffering a stroke around 2003. At the time of his death, he was 61.
A large contingent of the uniformed police, riot police and traffic officers kept a close watch on the proceedings and assisted in leading a large convoy of funeral vehicles safely through the township streets.
Dr Mokae is survived by his son Kagiso Bantubonke (KGB), whom he named after Steve Bantubonke Biko. In his special message, the young Mokae said his wish was to see his father’s surgery in the nearby Ramogodi village, which comprises of shacks painted in black and yellow colours of AZAPO, replaced with brick and mortar structures that could be turned into a centre of memory for Dr Mokae’s lifetime of service to his community, and country.
