I am never the one to frequently watch funeral programmes especially those of prominent state officials but today (the 24th January 2021) was a different day. I woke up in a somber state, ready to witness, like many other South Africans, as the late minister in the Presidency Jackson Mthembu was about to be laid to rest. The minister is reported to have succumbed to Covid-19 on the afternoon of the 21st of January 2021. This is after he had publicly declared contracting the virus and was subsequently hospitalized at Milpark hospital until he met his untimely passing. Minister Mthembu was at the fore-front of the country’s fight against Covid-19 through the numerous press briefings he would chair (for the public) to further detail the plans that government had laid out to curb the spread of the virus.

So many South Africans, including myself, were initially out on a witch hunt as the country is still under Level 3 Lockdown where restrictions include the number of people permitted at funerals. It almost seems as if these restrictions are only directed for ordinary folks while the likes of politicians and struggle icons are exempted. I find it ironic when these same restrictions are gazetted by our government officials. Well, this time around, I note with relief how the restrictions were observed and that the limit of 50 people were seen to be in attendance, socially distanced and (some) masked up. The funeral was attended by many prolific South African politicians including President Cryril Ramaphosa, deputy president David Mabuza, national speaker of Parliament Thandi Modise, minister of mineral resources and energy Gwede Mantashe and many of the Mpumalanga provincial executive including the premier who got into hot water over her non-compliance for not wearing a mask at this ceremony.

Then Makhosini Nkosi took to the podium.

What struck me the most about the programme was the speech given by the late minister’s friend Makhosini Nkosi. It was a combination of factors, including his light-hearted tone and how he personified every part of it, that made his speech memorable, captivating and inspiring. Well for starters, Makhosini spoke in a language that he was most conformable in and by so doing, he was able to be resonate and connect with many who witnessed this.

He spoke vehemently of his friendship with the mister since 1974 which strengthened in 1975 when the two started secondary school. The two also united many secondary schools around their circuit through their vigour for freedom, activism and desire to speak in one voice at a time when many were divided. His speech was a recollection of authentic stories shared of their relationship and how the two would spend time together. He painted us a picture of a man who was more than a minister, a minister who was human and who cared for so many people. He delivered the tribute with such great passion, power and heart that emotions took hold of him at some moments during his speech.

He referred to minister Mthembu as  a loving father who inspired him to love and be a better man. He spoke of minister Mthembu as a caring and dedicated father who tried his best to be a present family man even when his busy schedule would keep him away from his loved ones. He spoke of how straightforward minister Mthembu was in his conduct and actions. He highlighted stories of how minister Mthembu was involved in his community where there would be a family or neighbour in despair.

Makhosini spoke of how he was respected in the community as a result of the late minister. He said minister Mthembu made everyone around him feel like they belong and that they matter. They were good friends even though he (Makhosini) was a simple coal worker. He shared stories of how they would meet and chill at the late minister’s home and listen to gospel music where the two would easily shed tears until fall asleep. The two would also joke about how one day those tears will be wiped away for good. He described minister Mthembu as a gracious soul whose passing has completely shattered his spirit.

He spoke of the late minister Mthembu as a caring and loving father that constantly played with his children. He spoke of a minister who was also gifted in karate. His speech had the right mixture of humour, light-heartedness and grace. I wish he was given much more time to share his many stories. I could tell there were more stories that he had planned to share. I loved when he also touched on how they would joke about them going to heaven one day. Makhosini then appropriately signed off his speech by this IziZulu note – ‘Ungilindile ezulwini‘ (He knows that Jackson Mthembu is waiting for him in heaven).

You could tell that this was a person who knew the minister quite well and made it his mission to tell the whole world who the real Jackson Mthembu was on that platform. I firmly believe that when a person is asked to deliver a tribute about someone at such an occasion, they should not prepare, as the content should come naturally and from the heart. He said he could speak until the sun rises and sets again about his friend and I know how this is usually used as a rhetoric statement when someone gives a speech but for once and for a change, how I wished he could have continued on and on…