Speech by Justice Ditshego, during the funeral of a friend and colleague, the late Thapelo Sakoana
21 June 2012
Programme Director,
Honourable Minister of Social Development, Ms Bathabile Dlamini,
Honourable Deputy Minister of Social Development, Mrs Maria Ntuli,
Our Director-General, Mr Vusi Madonsela,
Special Advisers present,
Senior Managers and officials within the public service,
Members of the bereaved family and relatives,
The TUT family,
Friends and Colleagues,
Ladies and gentlemen,
Historical Background of this Friendship
Twelve months ago I was requested to speak at the funeral of the late Caroline, the wife to the late Thapelo Sakoana. This time I thought I will sit at the back and listen to condolences from other friends and colleagues because I am still leaking the wounds as a result of Thapelo’s death. When I was requested to speak as a friend I only thought of a friendship we had. His family would be more hurt than I am if I refused to speak as a friend today. Although I may not have captured everything, but I summarised some remarkable experiences and moments I shared with Thapelo.
I met Thapelo in 2001 shortly after registering for Journalism studies at Tshwane University of Technology (TUT), Soshanguve campus. This means that this year in January our friendship was on its twelfth year Anniversary.
Thapelo was humble and a bit shy person who always preferred his own space. He was always eager to associate himself with the people he knew and trusted.
I consider myself fortunate to be one of the people he mostly trusted.
I also enjoyed every moment I shared with him. Personally, I was able to enjoy advises which came with the package of our friendship.
I would like to convey my sincere condolences to Thapelo’s family, friends, including the TUT family and all who worked with Thapelo at UPDATE newspapers, the GCIS, North West Provincial government, The Presidency and Social Development.
Memories
He joined the Daily Sun on an Internship Programme where he only worked for one day and he resigned. When I enquired about his resignation because we shared the same flat at Ponte City in Joburg, he said to me: Justice, I don’t want to work with people who do not trust me!
Apparently he was accused by Billy Cooper, Daily Sun Sports Editor, to have sold a soccer article to another rival newspaper, The Star. This occurred as a result of headlines which happened to be similar, a day after the Vodacom Challenge game which he covered but was not granted a byline.
We finally established that it was just a co-incidence and Thapelo had nothing to do with it.
I said but Thapelo did you inform them about your resignation? His answer was no, I only left as if I am going out for lunch and believe you me Justice I am not going back.
This young man was not only humble but generous and he always believed in sharing with other people.
During our days at the TUT we shared as friends ideas, books, knowledge and basic needs including food.
Work experience
We both worked for the campus newsletter which was known as THE UPDATE. I was Editor-In-Chief and he worked as a Sports Editor. Thapelo would rarely go to the sports field but come the date for submission of articles (deadline), he would submit a well written editorial piece about sports at the campus.
I also had another opportunity of working with Thapelo when I joined Social Development because we always worked together to draft speeches for the Principals.
Ladies and gentlemen
Like any boy child, Thapelo was not perfect but believe me, he passed on at a time when he was struggling to make things right.
Like some of us would do, there were times when he didn’t feel like attending classes and when I ask him why he wasn’t in class, he would say, “For what, whether I attend or not I am going to pass because you will never let me fail. You and Phillippus Ngoepe will share with me whatever you did in class while I was taking care of other things.”
I also realised that he was from a family which instilled discipline into his life. This I realised when he failed one of our first year subjects: Photo Journalism 1. In our second year he said to me: “Justice, my mother is angry with me and she also told me that if I repeat another subject this year, I must drop out of the University and stay at home for Introspection.”
Some Remarkable Moments
Most remarkably moments with Thapelo especially for the past twelve months is that he bought a lot of gospel CDs. After writing speeches he would play songs such as Eng Kajeno ke fodile, Ke ngwana wa Modimo and Ke tla iphelela ka Thapelo.
I didn’t know that Thapelo was on his way to leave me behind. Strange enough, he would sometimes tell me that if he dies before me, I must not forget to guide and assist in nurturing his children.
I advised him to apply for a life cover and after the application was approved, he called me to his office and said: “Justice, my friend, this is the money I will leave behind for the young ones. Please ensure that at the right time they have access to the money.”
He left me with tasks
My primary task together with my wife is to assist in guiding and reminding his children about who Thapelo Sakoana was and what he stood for. This task also includes the transmission of positive values of life in general to his children.
Another task, Thapelo has since the beginning of this year advised me that we must register Law studies.
He said, Justice, We are not going to work in government forever or else we will be frustrated by the young graduates from Rhodes university.
He further highlighted that on completion of our Law studies; we must serve articles and become advocates. He said, one day I will be like Mr Zane Dangor, the Special Adviser to the Minister and you will be like Mr Shezi, a Special Adviser with a brown bag in your hand, carrying serious documents, advising our leaders on how best they can run this country.
He further said, “We will be called to provide legal opinions and contribute in the Policy Making processes.”
It is in this context that I believe my friend left me with a task to further my studies in his honour which I think will keep our special memories alive.
Thapelo was a man of Purpose
Allow me to borrow one verse from Proverbs 20 verse 5 - “The purpose of a man’s heart are deep waters, but a man of understanding draws them out.”
I pray to God on a daily basis to grant me the serenity and strength to live like a man of understanding who will continuously strive to achieve positive things in life for the sake of Thapelo, his children and the friendship we had.
Lessons
I had an opportunity to learn many things from Thapelo. One of those lessons was about Leadership. He taught me that Leadership is not about maintaining followers but the reproduction of new leaders.
His death taught me that life is too short and we must always be ready by putting our acts and lives in line with God’s plans about our lives.
Before he left for an operation in hospital he warned me about the concept of Power. He said, I quote, “One day you will be powerful, but be careful. Don’t abuse your power because power can be temporal.
He further said, “Don’t overestimate your power in life.”
I will forever appreciate the times and moments we shared as friends.
To the family of the late Thapelo Sakoana, thank you for allowing me to have such a fulfilling friendship with Thapelo which I hope it will be forever archived in the files of history.
The Bible says in the book of Proverbs 19 verse 21“Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.”
We had plans with Thapelo, but I think God’s plans were a bit different from ours.
Sad Moments
For now I can only recall two instances which made Thapelo to be angry with me:
First one, when I emailed him the draft speech and he couldn’t access it because his inbox was full. After realising that I did my work, he apologised.
Second one, when I attended interviews at The Presidency without telling him. He was angry with me. Thapelo said: my friend, I know what you are capable of. You should have told me so I can influence and fast track the processes to ensure that you join The Presidency. In response I convinced him that I wanted to work for The Presidency without any favours and to be appointed on merit. After some time he was fine with my decision.
In closure: allow me to mention some of the names we used to call Thapelo whenever we were in the good mood.
- Shaka Ngcobo - Jersey number 13
Those who are football fanatics will recall Abednigo Shaka Ngcobo, the legendary winger who was born in Cato Mano, Durban, and later recruited by Kaizer Chiefs during the 70s. Thapelo had special interest in the jersey number 13 and the player.
I am not at liberty to explain in detail what other names meant for us. He was also known as:
- Thepza Mrembole
- Moroba ditshipi
- TP Mazembe
TP Mazembe is a team which was invited to play in the Vodacom challenge and Thapelo was a fan for that team.
O robale ka khutso mokokona pula. Re tla go gopola ga letsatsi le hlaba, ra go gopola gape ge le subela.
Ga di lebogwe!