Perhaps the passing of cde Mtholephi Mthimkhulu, u Bhungane, a communicator par excellence from KZN gives us an opportunity as ANC Communicators to tell the story of DIP(Department of Information and Publicity) When mamD mam Dorothy Nyembe and maMboxela ma Tryphina Mboxela passed on, I called both cdes Mtho and cde Mlungisi Ndhlela to talk to me more about these stalwarts as we had to prepare notes for the leadership. Perhaps, the combination of cde Mtho and Magagula gave DIP at the time, I was deployed at Shell House in 1998, its feistiness. Whenever, Mamoepa needed something from KZN, he would say call cde Makhaye, Mlu or cde Mtho., I would get what I want in no time, a telephone conversation that was meant to confirm some facts would run into a political school. Perhaps, more than any other province, KZN contributed best to teaching me to sharpen my skills as a communicator, more than any other province. When NEC SubCommittees on Communications were to be convened, we would run a parallel session as Media Co-ordinators to strategize. Consequently, we could influence the direction the Movement would take on issues. With cdes Pallo Jordan, Joel Netshitenzhe, Dumisane Makhaye, Gill Marcus, Saki Macozoma, Sankie Mthembi - Mahanyele, cdes TM and cde Kgalema( Umkhuluwa), Smuts Ngonyama, we were led by the crème de la crème of the province at different times who taught us the importance of the written and spoken word. Perhaps, the writing of the Book Marriage made in Heaven under the by the so - called Native Club was one of the best products of DIP to influence ideas under the pseudonym of Tau Y Gragramla. When we launched the first edition of ANC Today, the Movements first publication online, you were there in 2001. As students of DIP,including cdes, Vukani Mbhele, Mike Mike M Ramagoma, Pinky Mokoto from North West,cde Qondile Kedama and Gert Witbooi, Nat Serache and Donovan Prince D Cloete, we would spend many sleepless nights ahead of NGCs, Elective Conferences, Policy Conferences strategizing on what and how the Movement should communicate. Both cdes Cherly Carolus, Sankie Mthembi - Mahanyele and sis Thenjiwe Mtintso gave us a hard time from the SGO, tearing our communication strategies and media plans to pieces if they were not well crafted. In despair, we would turn to you and cde Dumisani Makhaye and you would counsel us with Wisdom. Each voice.. Each view counted. Your voice cde Mtholephis could always be counted on to tell the truth. You stood for principle at all times, No matter what. Frankly, You called a spade a spade. You were respectful, articulate and stood your ground. You were an educator as well as a communicator. As a young woman deployed at HeadQuarters,, you acted like a big brother to me, yet a Comrade at the same time. Cde Mtho, you were always protective and valued my views. I respected your views and would often call you from HQ for guidance. You would often avail the leadership in the province to speak to us at all times on all Communication related matters and their implications, cde Sbu Ndebele, Zweli Mkhize, cde Senzo when he was Deputy Provincial Secretary and Ndosi who was the Provinces spokesperson on Safety and Security at the time. I am going to miss you cde Mtho, your wisdom, Honesty and integrity, but more than anything, I am going to miss your firm stance on a lot of issues that mattered. I will miss the way you would laugh out loudly and call me cde Mfamfa whenever you picked up the phone. You taught me a lot about KZN and I will always cherish that. Hamba Kahle Bhungane #DIP# will miss you. Pass on our revolutionary greetings to mamKhize, maMD and maMboxela, salute umdala, ubabu Harry Gwala, tell him we, miss his no - nonsense, wont buy yourself for the truth kind of attitude,greet those young lions, cdes Vusi Mzimela and Isaiah Ntshangase. Salute Cdes Parks Phakamile Mankahlana, Mce, Mcebisi Bata, Ian Madikoto and cde Magagula , Dumisane Makhaye himself. I am sure you now quorate to call a meeting of Communicators # Salute too the Chief Communicator of all times, Cde O.R. Tambo # Tell him, we will never betray the cause of Freedom.
Posted on: Fri, 16 Jan 2015 20:01:44 +0000