Mon séjour en Afrique du Sud (Cape Town)

This is how colleagues and friends described the life of ANC stalwart Andrew Masondo at his memorial service in Thaba Tshwane yesterday.

The service was attended by several dignitaries, including Deputy President Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, first lady Zanele Mbeki and Tshwane executive mayor Dr Gwen Ramokgopa.

Masondo died after a long illness on Sunday in 1 Military Hospital.

Retired Lieutenant-General Lehlohonolo Moloi, a close friend of Masondo’s for many years, said the countrywould have a tough time creating democratic fighters who would be able to fill Masondo’s shoes.

“This man survived many atrocities during the struggle, yet he was firm in his belief in the non-racial society that we are aspiring for,” he said.

Moloi said part of Masondo’s legacy should be efforts to make sure that traditional healers are given the opportunity to participate in the medical industry and to contribute their indigenous expertise.

Masondo joined the ANC’s armed wing, Umkhonto we Sizwe (MK), in 1962 and became a commander of Victoria East MK group, activities for which he later spent 13 years on Robben Island.

An enthusiastic academic, he obtained a second BSc (honours) in mathematical statistics while on Robben Island, having obtained a BSc (honours) at Wits University a few years before he was arrested.

He joined the SANDF in 1994 and when he retired in 2001, being a trained traditional healer, he devoted his years to cultural matters, particularly focusing on indigenous knowledge systems.

Northern Flagship Institute’s Makgolo Makgolo said Masondo had been committed to preserving the tangible and non-tangible heritage of his people.

“This is why he should not just be remembered as a struggle veteran. He was also as a cultural activist,” he said.

Masondo’s funeral service will be held tomorrow at 8am at Vista College, Soweto.