MATAT VIEWPOINT

Dear Reader,

IN spite of many setbacks we find ourselves in time and again, we wrap up the third quarter of our financial year full of courage and hope thanks to the Easter spirit.
Matatiele mourns the passing of a people’s liberation soldier. Matatiele Local Municipality joins the rest of the country to mourn the death of cadre Sechaba Charles Setsubi. Cde Setsubi passed-on in the early hours of Monday, March 12, at the age of 70.
Mr Setsubi was born in Hardenberg and did his primary schooling atMpharane Primary School. He later studied at Mariazell and Mount Hargreaves SSS in 1969.

Matatiele Local Municipality sends some heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, colleagues and those that served with him in the SACP and the Alliance at large.
Cde Charles was a veteran of our struggle and a tireless activist, who was a well of wisdom. As the municipality, we have benefited from this true revolutionary and a man of integrity. Cde Setsubi served our people as a member of the Central Executive Committee (CEC) of the South African Communist Party (SACP).

He played a critical role in the education sector where he started teaching in 1972 at Lehana SSS and went to Mvenyane Training College. Following the closure of Mvenyane College, he was transferred to Maluti Training College where he continued his teaching profession. He started as an active underground functionary of the African National Congress in 1970 while a student at the University Fort Hare. He went into exile five years later in 1975. His passing robs the municipality and a nation of a teacher and a people’s servant.
In exile, he served as a senior staff officer and uMkhonto we Sizwe Military Intelligence Officer at the headquarters in Lusaka, Zambia.

An intellectual in his own right, Charles held, amongst his numerous qualifications, a Masters of Arts in Political Science, Diploma in Education from the University of Fort Hare in the early 1970s and a Masters in Education. Charles was buried on Saturday, March 24 at Thomas Nkobi Memorial Park, Elspark in Ekurhuleni. As Matatiele Local Municipality, we shall honour him by fast tracking service delivery, something that was at the core for his sacrifices.

May his revolutionary soul rest in peace.

As we tap into the supernatural power, let us all pray for harmony, unity and prosperity in our beautiful country. I wish you tranquillity and joy over this special period. May safety and peace prevail throughout this Easter season.