Dozens of mourners today paid tribute to the fallen general of the Black Consciousness Movement – James Chauke in East Bank near Alexandra, Johannesburg describing him as a fearless fighter who loved his country.
All round – speakers said he contributed immensely to the liberation of black people. Thami Hlekiso, former president of the Azanian Students Movement, said: “Comrade James taught us discipline and to love ourselves.”
Lybon Mabasa – president of the Socialist Party of Azania (SOPA) – said Chauke had left an indelible mark in the struggle.
“He was always willing to organize and defend black people who refused trauma to be visited on them.” He described Chauke as one of the most iconic members of the BCM.
“We were liberating people and not putting tyres around them. Even God would have been ashamed of of us from this satanic behavior,” Oupa Ngwenya – the master of ceremonies said.
General Hlomani Mabasa – said: “We don’t claim him – he was our leader. Comrade James was a member of the Azanian National Liberation Army (Azanla) who displayed maximum courage and discipline worth being emulated.“
“We trained and moved within the country moving like fish in the water. Alexandra became a fortress for us.”
