Limpopo Premier Stan Chupu Mathabatha described the late Cde Azwifarwi Dickson Ralushai as a person who had loved and fought for the freedom and peace of his people and said that they had lost a political mentor.
Ralushai (71) passed away on Friday, 5 March, in the MediClinic in Polokwane after a short illness.
Mathabatha addressed people in the Thohoyandou town hall on Saturday during a special state funeral held for the late Vhembe political activist and ANC veteran, better known as "Comrade Dick." The funeral was also attended by the Acting Minister in the Presidency, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, Deputy Minister of Police Cassel Mathale, Executive Mayor of Vhembe District Dowelani Nenguda and some members of the ANC veteran's league.
"We thank President Cyril Ramaphosa for his approval of our request that Cde Ralushai be accorded a special State funeral. Ralushai dedicated his life to the liberation of the country, and he has joined some other outstanding late Vhembe giant freedom fighters like Sparks Ramagoma and George Phadagi," said Premier Mathabatha.
One of Ralushai's children, Tshivheaho Mandela Ralushai, read his father's obituary. The late Ralushai was born and raised in Tshififi village outside Thohoyandou and became active in politics during his time at Mphaphuli Secondary School in the 70s, where he met the likes of Cyril Matamela Ramaphosa, now the State President, who became Ralushai's best friend.
"He fought against Apartheid, Bantustanism and all their manifestations. He also participated in various structures in the movement, including the Northern Transvaal Action Committee (an affiliate of the United Democratic Front (UDM)), Umkhotho We Sizwe and the ANC, and was detained countless times," said his son.
Ralushai worked in the office of Premier Ngoako Ramatlhodi. His last official position was as manager at the office of the Speaker of the Limpopo Legislature, from where he retired in 2009. Ralushai was also the chairperson of the ANC Veteran's League in the Peter Mokaba region at the time of his death.
His eldest daughter, Hangwani Mudangawe Nengovhela, said that her father had left a legacy of being "one of the freedom fighters of the country". She said that she was among many who were worried for their children because of the ANC of today's ways.
"They no longer fight to deliver service to the people, only for their own stomachs, and that was not the way my father was fighting. We want comrades to honour my father for fighting all forms of corruption, so that his soul may rest in peace," said Nengovhela.
Ralushai is survived by his wife, Ms Shonisani Ralushai, and four children, Hangwi, Mandela, Albertina and Azwifarwi, as well as seven grandchildren.
He was buried on Saturday (13th) in Mbaleni Cemetery in Makwarela Extension near Thohoyandou, under strict Covid-19 regulations.