REMARKS BY MEC STEVE MABONA
Thank You
Master of Ceremonies
Distinguished guests
Ladies and Gentlemen.
I am immensely honoured to speak at the funeral of my colleague comrade George Mukhari.
Let me, on behalf of the government and people of Mpumalanga, and on behalf of my organisation the African National Congress, express our sincere condolences to the Mukhari family, relatives and friends.
We shared and continue to share the pain of his wife Bridgette and their three children. The past few weeks have been harrowing, not only to us as government, but to the family and friends of this dear Comrade.
It is difficult for us to accept that Comrade George is no more. Over the past few days since his death I have heard a number of tributes paid to Comrade George.
In all the tributes not once did all those who knew him fail to mention that he was one of the humblest people. He was not given to being vain or boastful.
Today, as we bid him final farewell, let us remember that throughout his life he never asked for recognition. He was a leader who was free of the evils of pride, ego, greed, selfishness, envy, jealousy, anger, fear and hatred.
Comrade George's work in the ANC and in the Mpumalanga Provincial Government has always been based on his understanding of the needs of ordinary working class people in South Africa.
We know too well how much Comrade George sacrificed. There are times when our demands on him - indeed the demands of struggle - made it difficult for him to play fully the role of father and husband.
But we need to make this solemn pledge to you. As long as the people of our country continue to be immersed in poverty. As long as millions of our people continue to lose their lives as a result of preventable diseases, including AIDS, we shall not rest.
As a health activist yourself we believe that nothing would please you more than to see us mobilise our people properly to fight against preventable diseases.
These include the AIDS epidemic which, among other things, requires that we change the habits of our people with regard to issues that relate to sexual behaviour and life style.
One of the tributes we can pay to Comrade George is to deny space to those who do not care for the fundamental aspirations of the people.
We must pay tribute to Comrade George by identifying and isolating those whose aim has been – and still is – to divide the people.
Those who divert our people from their real and common interests, by driving them to racism, narrow nationalism, tribalism, ethnicity and regionalism.We must pay tribute to Comrade George by ensuring that we work tirelessly for the total emancipation of the women of Africa.
Comrades, we must pay tribute to Comrade George by ensuring that we rid the province of elements that weaken our capacity to carry out our mission to continue the struggle for the total emancipation of our people.
Criminals continue to prey on our people and society, among other things raping women and abusing children. We have to wage an all-out struggle against these elements.
Men and women of rare qualities are few and hard to come by. And when they depart, the sense of loss is made the more profound and the more difficult to manage. I know that we will say Comrade George is no more.
But Comrade George lived not because he could breathe. He lived not because blood flowed in his veins.
Comrade George lived not because we could see and touch him. He lived not because we shared many happy moments of laughter and sadness with him. But Comrades, can we honestly allow Comrade George to depart while we live?
Comrade George lived because he had dedicated his whole life to the struggle of the people of this country. He lived because he was so passionate about working for a better life for all the people of this country – black and white.
He lived because his very being embodied love, an idea, a hope, an aspiration, and a vision. While he lived, our minds would never quite formulate the thought that this man is other than what the naked eye could see.
I say that Comrade George has not died, because the ideals for which he sacrificed his life can never die. I say that Comrade George has not died because the ideals of freedom and human dignity and respect for every individual cannot perish.
I say he has not died because there are many of us who became part of his soul and therefore willingly entered into a conspiracy with him, for the victory of his cause.
While the ANC lives, Comrade George cannot die! If you see tears welling in our eyes, it is because we cannot bear saying:
Farewell dear comrade!
You set yourself a task which only the brave would dare. Because we value peace, you will live forever! Go well and farewell, dear friend.
To his mother, to his in-laws, to his brother and sisters, to all family members and friends let me say: If we have taken liberty to claim Comrade George as ours today, this merely underlines that there are those to whom he was more than just a comrade and a friend.
Bridgette and the children, we know that you feel this pain more deeply. We cannot fully grasp the magnitude of your grief. Please be comforted by the fact that the nation and the province share your grief; and we shall always be at your side.
We share in your grief and sorrow and pray that God will give you the strength to carry on with your lives.
Thank You.