Speaker after speaker described the late struggle icon, Cde Mbulaheni Malada (68), better known as "Peter Dambuza", as fearless, selfless, and dedicated to the freedom of the country.
Several politicians and comrades, which included General Siphiwe Nyanda, Solly Maphaila, former Premier of Limpopo Ngoako Ramatlhodi and the current premier, Stan Chupu Mathabatha, attended the burial. The ceremony started at the Makonde sports grounds and was held adhering to strict Covid-19 regulations.
Premier Mathabatha described Malada as a selfless leader and the true embodiment of a freedom fighter, from his early childhood to the end. He thanked President Ramaphosa for his decision to accord Malada a special provincial funeral and said that he deserved the honour as he had given up his youth and his own freedom for the freedom of the people.
Mathabatha pointed out that Malada had established the David Malada Foundation. "We will work with the foundation to ensure that his contribution to the liberation of the country is never forgotten and we will institutionalize his memory," said Mathabatha.
David Musetha, the secretary of the David Malada Foundation, said that Malada had been born and raised in Makonde and this was where he became conscious of the pain and suffering inflicted by the apartheid regime. He decided to pick up arms and fight for the rights of the people.
"This led him to skipping the country to join the people's army, Umkhonto We Sizwe. He received military training in Angola, Tanzania, Mozambique and Cuba, and upon completing military training, Cde Dambuza then led many successful battles against the South African Defence Force (SADF) in the border areas of Mozambique, Zimbabwe and Swaziland," said Musetha.
He said Malada had died on Thursday, 20 August, at his home in Polokwane after a short illness. This happened only a few days before his family, friends, and comrades were to celebrate his 68th birthday. He is survived by his wife, Jacqueline Malada, and two children, Thanyani and Lesedi.