The Thulani Mashaba I know
Many people are left with lasting memories of local political icon, Thulani Mashaba. The Zululand Observer's Wiseman Mthiyane is one of them.
Love him or hate him, the name Thulani Mashaba will remain indelibly etched in many people’s minds, in particular the people of uThungulu.
I had a privilege of knowing the man who used to call me ‘Mzala,’ in my line of work as a journalist.
We had our ups and downs. I remember the other day, while covering a Youth Day Rally in eSikhaleni, which was addressed by the then Provincial Secretary of the ANC Youth League, Sihle Zikalala.
The event started by the singing of the national anthem.
At the time there were very few leaders who could the sing the whole anthem, and Mashaba was among those who battled with the lyrics.
In my reporting of the story, I highlighted the need for leaders to learn the national anthem.
In response, he wrote me a scathing letter, disappointed that senior journalist like Mthiyane would deprive the youth of uThungulu the message of hope given by Zikalala, only to focus on trivial things.
But later we smoked peace pipe, and continued to work. He had a great respect and valued the role of the media in everything he did.
Mashaba became an activist in 1988 while at KwaSokhulu and was inspired by the great sacrifice of the youth of that time.
It was while in Std 7 at Umfolozi High School in Mtubatuba that his political career took centre stage as he led school fees-related unrest in 1990.
He never looked back, became the Youth League leader in the region and moved up the ladder to serve as the Regional Secretary of the mother body.
But his influence was most felt when he became the Chairperson of the ANC and was instrumental in renaming the region after the late Musa Dladla.
He would attend each and every funeral of the members of his party.
He voted for the first time in 1994 at Hlanganani Hall in eSikhaleni.
As he told me,’ The queue was long but we were patient to vote for the ANC and for Mandela.’
A charismatic Mashaba appeared to have known that his day was coming.
In his message for the Easter Holidays, he wrote: ‘Noma ngihamba esigodini sethunzi lokufa, angikwesabi okubi ngoba wena unami. Wendlala itafula phambi kwezitha zami, impela okuhle nomusa kuyangilandela. Ngiyohlala endlini kaJehova, kuze kube sekupheleni (Almighty God I praise you all the time, I choose you as my Savior. I love you all, even those who made life difficult for me. I forgive them in Jesus’ name. Happy Easter Holidays).’
Farewell ‘Mzala,’ lala kahle Phoseka, Makhendleleni!
