Liberation struggle veteran and former Pan Africanist Congress (PAC) president Clarence Mlamli Makwetu has died.
Makwetu, who was born in Cofimvaba in 1928, died yesterday afternoon as a result of a long illness which saw him repeatedly admitted to hospital in recent months.
It has been reported that Makwetu, who had served time on Robben Island with the likes of Nelson Mandela in the 1960’s, had suffered a stroke a few weeks back.
This was confirmed yesterday by his son Chithi Makwetu, who said the family was still reeling in shock and in pain over the stalwart’s passing.
“At the moment as the family we are trying to come to terms with what has just happened and will only be able to communicate further details in due course,” said Chithi.
Due to factional differences in the PAC, Makwetu decided to leave the organisation and was instrumental in the formation of its splinter group the Pan Africanist Movement (PAM).
Speaking just moments after Makwetu died, PAM secretary-general Khuselo Makapela described Makwetu as a giant of the liberation struggle who would leave a huge void in the politics of Pan Africanism in South Africa.
Makapela said the country had lost “a great son of the soil who was resolute in his belief for the liberation of the black child”.
“We are very sad as a nation that Tat’uZkhali (as Makwetu was affectionately known) has left us at this critical moment when the country needs leaders of his calibre, leaders who have the political wealth and wisdom to guide this country to the right political direction.
“We are really worried and saddened that he has left us in this mess as the country, at the time when we really need to recognise that the only ideology that can work and rescue this country is Pan Africanism,” Makapela said.
PAC provincial secretary Jerome Mdyolo yesterday said the party was saddened that “the big tree has fallen”.
“We know the critical role he played in the freedom of this country. He had championed for our freedom under very trying times and he never sold out when it was fashionable for others to do so.
“We are crying as the Pan Africanist family because we know that his role in the struggle was extraordinary.
“We have learnt a lot from this giant,” said Mdyolo.
Makwetu started his political career as a member of the ANC Youth League in the early 1950’s.
In 1959 he became instrumental in the formation of the PAC.
In March 1960, Makwetu was arrested and detained for his involvement in the anti-pass campaign and on release was banished to his hometown of Cofimvaba.
In August 1962 he was re-arrested and was sentenced to seven years’ imprisonment on Robben Island.
Years later, in December 1989, Makwetu became the first president of PAM, the front organisation of the then banned PAC.
When the PAC was eventually unbanned in 1990, PAM was dissolved and Makwetu became the deputy president of the PAC.
After the death of the PAC president Zeph Mothopeng in 1990, Makwetu was elected president, serving in that position until 1996. — asandan@dispatch.co.za
Death of PAC icon leaves void
Makwetu, who was born in Cofimvaba in 1928, died yesterday afternoon as a result of a long illness which saw him repeatedly admitted to hospital in recent months.
It has been reported that Makwetu, who had served time on Robben Island with the likes of Nelson Mandela in the 1960’s, had suffered a stroke a few weeks back.
This was confirmed yesterday by his son Chithi Makwetu, who said the family was still reeling in shock and in pain over the stalwart’s passing.
“At the moment as the family we are trying to come to terms with what has just happened and will only be able to communicate further details in due course,” said Chithi.
Due to factional differences in the PAC, Makwetu decided to leave the organisation and was instrumental in the formation of its splinter group the Pan Africanist Movement (PAM).
Speaking just moments after Makwetu died, PAM secretary-general Khuselo Makapela described Makwetu as a giant of the liberation struggle who would leave a huge void in the politics of Pan Africanism in South Africa.
Makapela said the country had lost “a great son of the soil who was resolute in his belief for the liberation of the black child”.
“We are very sad as a nation that Tat’uZkhali (as Makwetu was affectionately known) has left us at this critical moment when the country needs leaders of his calibre, leaders who have the political wealth and wisdom to guide this country to the right political direction.
“We are really worried and saddened that he has left us in this mess as the country, at the time when we really need to recognise that the only ideology that can work and rescue this country is Pan Africanism,” Makapela said.
PAC provincial secretary Jerome Mdyolo yesterday said the party was saddened that “the big tree has fallen”.
“We know the critical role he played in the freedom of this country. He had championed for our freedom under very trying times and he never sold out when it was fashionable for others to do so.
“We are crying as the Pan Africanist family because we know that his role in the struggle was extraordinary.
“We have learnt a lot from this giant,” said Mdyolo.
Makwetu started his political career as a member of the ANC Youth League in the early 1950’s.
In 1959 he became instrumental in the formation of the PAC.
In March 1960, Makwetu was arrested and detained for his involvement in the anti-pass campaign and on release was banished to his hometown of Cofimvaba.
In August 1962 he was re-arrested and was sentenced to seven years’ imprisonment on Robben Island.
Years later, in December 1989, Makwetu became the first president of PAM, the front organisation of the then banned PAC.
When the PAC was eventually unbanned in 1990, PAM was dissolved and Makwetu became the deputy president of the PAC.
After the death of the PAC president Zeph Mothopeng in 1990, Makwetu was elected president, serving in that position until 1996. — asandan@dispatch.co.za
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