Thebe Mabanga
Ekurhuleni MMC for Roads and Transport Planning, Andile Mngwevu, who died recently after being swept away by floods in Chokwe, Mozambique, was celebrated as a caring, selfless, and courageous leader, husband, and father at a memorial service held in his hometown of Kwa Thema, Ekurhuleni, on Thursday.
Mngwevu died with three friends and associates after their vehicle was swept away in mid January. It was discovered last week. A survivor remains in recovery.
The mood was mildly jovial and relaxed ahead of the memorial, but turned sombre when the service was opened with a rendition of Hyms Xhosa 200, Lizalis’idinga lakho.
Family tributes were led by Ngwevu’s son, Ayanda, who recalled that his father “took him everywhere” and he got to know his friends and networks. His Nonhlanhla described his helpful and dependable nature, who would be a source of support at a time like this.
Mngwevu’s friends Thulani Twala and Nkosana Lukhele described his passion for soccer, seemingly inherited from involvement with a family-run soccer team that led him to form his own social soccer club, Amavikelambuso, and take part in local tournaments.
Tributes also included his daughter Asanda’s class at Divine Montesorri, led by founder Duduzile Marapane, suggesting Mngwevu was actively involved in its governance
Mngwevu was born in 1987 and grew up in Kwa Thema, where he attended Qedusizi Primary and Kenneth Masekela High School. His political activism was ignited while in High School at a difficult time for the township.
Mngwevu belongs to a generation that was tasked with rebuilding the Congress of South Afrian Student (Cosas). This is after Cosas had been decimated by intense spells of violence against Pan African Student Organisation (PASO) that claimed over 30 lives in the mid to late 90s, ruptured Kwa Themas social fabric, and required the intervention of ANC stalwart Winne Madikizela Mandela to disarm both sides
He rose through the ranks of COSAS and the ANC Youth League and was now part of regional leadership of the ANC. He was also the Leader of Government Business at the time of his death.
The memorial service was attended by former Ekurhuleni mayor and ANC NEC member Mzwandile Masina, current mayor Nkosingiphile Xhakaza, ANC Youth League President Collen Malatji, ANC Women’s League NEC member Itumeleng Molioa, Gauteng PEC Member and MEC for Community Safety Faith Mazibuko, as well as leaders of Mkhonto Wesizwe Veterans League, the tripartite alliance, the SACP, and Cosatu, as well as stakeholders such as the South African National Taxi Council (Santaco).
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Mngwevu’s uncle, Rev ML Mngwevu, rounded off family tributes by describing his nephew as “a beacon of hope, a shining example of leading a life of purpose.”
The highlight of the service was a tribute on behalf of Mngwevu’s wife, Malebo, by a singer, Fatima, who took a gospel tune and morphed it into a searing, melancholic medley that had the crowd on its feet and in tears.
A division head at Mngwevu’s department described him as a courageous leader who enquired about and cared about the well-being of their families.
He recalled an incident where they were to close potholes in Thokoza and were threatened by a Business Forum that threatened to stop the project. Mngwevu confronted the belligerent mob and stopped them from derailing the project.
The ANC and alliance tribute were led by Jongizizwe Dlabathi, the MMC for finance and ANC secretary for Ekurhuleni.
He described Mngwevu as having ” a clear orientation towards a better life for all” and, like struggle stalwart Chris Hani, Mngwevu understood that this would not be achieved through slogans but through action.
Dlabathi noted that Mngwevu accumulated nicknames that reflect different aspects of his life, starting with “Ace” from his love of soccer, to which Dlabathi could only attest to his passion rather than ability, as well as Mgazi, by far his most popular, which spoke to his ability to make “blood” connection to everyone he encountered. At the memorial, it also emerged that in high school, he modelled himself on Jack Mabaso, a popular villain from the soapie Generations portrayed by Vusi Kunene.
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Ahead of the memorial service, candle light ceremonies was held at Council Chambers in Germiston as well as at a popular shisanyama Mngwevu was associated with, known as Kwa Mgazi.
Mngevu’s funeral takes place on Saturday at Kwa Thema Stadium.
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