Thousands of mourners braved the heavy rains to attend the burial of stalwart ANC freedom fighter and political guru Rembuluwani Moses Mantsha at Dzingahe village on Saturday morning, 14 January. Mantsha passed away in the Tshilidzini hospital on Monday, 9 January, after a long illness.
Among the mourners were Pretoria High Court Judge Tshifhiwa Maumela, former MK commander General Nwendamutswu, South African Minister of Communication Khumbudzo Ntshavheni and former Minister of Transport Joseph Maswanganyi.
Speaking during the funeral service, Mantsha's eldest child, Ms Shudufhadzo Mantsha Mudau greeted all present with her father's characteristic slogans, for a moment changing the atmosphere in the church to resemble that of a political rally, the way the late Mantsha used to take charge of proceedings.
Mudau said that Mantsha had not only been a freedom fighter and revolutionary of note, but also a loving and dedicated father to all his children. "He was very close to us and loved us equally. Even though people say he was very secretive when it comes to his role as an underground political operative, he told us at home how he managed to evade the police. Sometimes he dressed up as a woman and passed through roadblocks where the police were looking for him," she said.
She said that, because her father was arrested many times by the apartheid regime, they as children were deprived of quality time with him, though he always tried to be involved in what they did and even helped them with their school assignments.
"Daddy, you are our hero. You are gone now, but in your children's hearts you will always be alive. Rest in peace, Mukololo wa Ha Mphaphuli. Mishumo yavho to I vhona, nahone ri do vha elelwa tshifhinga tshothe."
Mantsha is survived by his wife, Livhuwani Olga Mantsha, four children, two grandchildren, three brothers and 10 sisters.