Volume 11, No.2 - June-August 2002

Lala ngoxolo Peter Mokaba

 

COSATU was shocked and saddened by the sudden death of Comrade Peter Mokaba. The federation sent its condolences to his family, friends and comrades and was well represented at his funeral and the many memorial services which were held across the country.

Comrade Peter was a great freedom fighter for his people. His whole life was dedicated to the fight for national liberation and democracy. It was especially appropriate that his funeral took place as we celebrated Youth Day, because Peter will be remembered most of all for his key role in mobilising, inspiring and leading the young people of South Africa to take up and ultimately win the struggle against the barbarism of apartheid.

He was arrested, jailed and threatened with death but never flinched in his commitment to the ANC and the people's movement. He summed up his own philosophy when, after one of his spells in prison, he said: "We need every nerve, every fibre, every activity and aspect of morality of the youth to service the aims of the national democratic struggle. Our guiding words are: rather die to a person than let the enemy pass."

In later years Peter served his country in Parliament and as a minister the first democratic government. His service to the movement continued to the end, as he tackled the challenging job of the ANC's chief electioneering strategist for the 2004 elections.

Although always an activist, Comrade Peter was also a thinker, prepared to stand up for ideas which were not always popular and defend them vigorously. COSATU sometimes disagreed with his ideas and engaged in vigorous debate. But, while we argued, in the democratic traditions of our alliance, we never doubted the passionate sincerity with which he defended his opinions and always held him in respect as a staunch fighter for national liberation and democracy.

His contributions to the debates within the movement and the alliance always had a positive outcome, even when they failed to convince the majority, because he forced us all, whether we agreed with him or not, to think deeply about important issues and clarify our ideas.

His example of a life dedicated to self-sacrificing struggle will always be remembered and cherished within the trade unions and the wider community.