Kwedi Mkalipi, a stalwart of the struggle and a veteran of the Pan-Africanist Azanian Congress (PAC), has been buried in Cape Town. He passed away over a week ago after a long illness.
Mkalipi is one of the co-founders of PAC, who founded it in 1959 with its leader Robert Mangaliso Sobukwe. He was arrested in 1965 on Robben Island and sentenced to 20 years.
Mr Mkalipi was awarded the Albert Luthuli Silver Medal by former President Thabo Mbeki. He was accorded an official provincial funeral by the Western Cape government.
“I thought of him as a political uncle and a younger brother to my father. The struggles they fought did not define them as either the PAC or the ANC. They We all fought to be free and together we had a very good relationship on the island. And we have a very special relationship as a family of all the people on the island.” says Lindiwe Sisulu, a friend of .
The struggle icon's family describes him as a man with a love for his people.
“It not only means how big my father's heart was, but it means how great he truly was as a human being. There were more people in attendance than I expected. It was very moving, and the service was very attentive. ” says his youngest daughter, Bongiwe Mukalifi.
PAC President Mzwanele Nyohontso called on party members to honor him by going to the polls and voting in large numbers. Mkalipi's death comes against the backdrop of yet another loss for a political giant, former PAC president Motsoko Peko.
“Of course it's sad to lose both such icons. We pay homage to Ntate Peko and we pay homage to Mkalipi. Now I want to see them all in heaven. Join the council of PAC leaders to guide us and give us strength as we campaign for Robert Mangaliso Sobukwe's August party, and in turn we I can guarantee that it will surprise many people.''
Mr Nyohontso also slammed the state government after the Prime Minister did not attend without giving a eulogy. However, state government representatives were present but declined to comment. Former leaders of labor unions associated with PAC attended. Among them were former Nakuthu general secretary Cunningham Ngukana and former Mwasa general secretary Sitembele Kara.
Mr Mukaripi was buried at Easter River Cemetery.
Report by Lerato Doralisa