Month: June 2016

Programme Director
Ms Halalisiwe Mthimkhulu and the family
Leaders of the religious community
Leaders of the ANC and the Alliance
Friends, colleagues and comrades

I wish to express my profound appreciation for the opportunity to take part in this celebration of a life well-lived in the service of the people.

Many of us, on receiving the invitation to this remembrance ceremony, did wonder whether, some eighteen months after Mtholephi Mthimkhulu left us, it is appropriate to rekindle the grief in our hearts, to again stare into the dark void that Makhulukhulu has left, and to relieve moments that are now consigned to the bosom of memory. But we drew comfort from the knowledge that, it is both necessary and unavoidable that we should, over and over again, remind ourselves of Mtholephi’s life. For contained in it is a frame of reference of what a servant of the people should be. 

Our Programme Director Ms Lebo Mashile, the President of the Black Management Forum, Mr Mncane Mthunzi, the Deputy President of BMF, Mr Dumisani Mpafa, the Managing Director of BMF Ms Busisiwe Mavuso, BMF Directors, former Presidents, the Honourable Minister of Arts and Culture Minister Nathi Mthethwa and his dear wife Ms Philisiwe Mthethwa, the CEO of Transnet Mr Siyabonga Gama, the CEO of Standard Bank Mr Sim Tshabalala, the Public Protector, distinguished ladies and gentlemen and I dare not forget, my dear wife, my great source of support, greetings to you all.

Mr Mthunzi, threw a challenge at me and maybe before I tell you what it is, let me just express my gratitude to him and BMF for having afforded me the opportunity to contribute to the transformation agenda that they have chosen to embark on for the benefit of South Africans and also, congratulate them on forty years of existence, believing that everybody by now, has accepted that I’m a Christian and a Pastor, I’m sure I can give some biblical example without risking castigation.