Former Ngwelezana giant is fondly remembered
The late Dr Hosea Alex Sandanezwe Fakude was one community leader who deserves to be honoured for pioneering Ngwelezana development
THE late Dr Hosea Alex Sandanezwe Fakude was one community leader who deserves to be honoured for pioneering Ngwelezana development.
This is the opinion the City of uMhlathuze ward 28 Councillor Phikelakhe Ntanzi, speaking at the unveiling ceremony of Fakude’s tombstone last week at the Empangeni cemetery.
Ntanzi said Fakude’s contribution to nation building and peace talks during political upheavals in Ngwelezana, cannot go unnoticed.
‘It was during his tenure as mayor that Ngwelezana was voted as the Best Township in South Africa by the then apartheid government.
The then national Cabinet led by Pik Botha came to Ngwelezana to witness what method Fakude was using to keep Ngwelezana as the most peaceful township.
He was rewarded with R400 000 as a gift for his good work, which he requested to be used to erect a community hall, as there was none in the township.
His leadership qualities were also put to the test when he led peace talks on behalf of his political party (IFP) in an effort to end political violence which ravaged the township in the early 90s.
Ntanzi said Fakude’s passing was a big loss as his impact was felt by all in the community. ‘He loved Ngwelezana with all his heart.
He was a living proof of the Batho Pele principle and a devout member of the Ngwelezana-based Ekwethabeni Lutheran Church.’
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