BY REGINALD KANYANE

THE reburial of uMkhonto Wesizwe member Sandile Ngqobe took place at Mmabatho Civic Centre in Mahikeng on Saturday. Ngqobe who was a struggle icon died in 1986 after he was ambushed during the combat at shopping complex in Zola, Soweto by apartheid police.

Ngqobe was born in Ramosadi village; Mahikeng joined the MK in 1977 after secretly crossing the border through Ramatlabama into Botswana. He ultimately gained military training in Angola and Zambia. Ngqobe’s main deployment as MK fighter was to protect ANC military wing camps from attacks by UNITA rebels who collaborated with the apartheid regime.

ANC provincial chairperson Supra Mahumapelo said that Ngqobe contributed his life in abolishing apartheid. He said that Ngqobe has contributed to freedom and democracy enjoyed by all South Africans including those who killed him.

“When Sandile Ngqobe whose combat name was Timmy Bhengu was killed and buried as pauper, the apartheid government thought that his bones would never be found. We want to applaud the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) for the investigations they conducted that led to unearth the hidden apartheid atrocities.” Mahumapelo said.

He said that now the family and friends of Ngqobe will close that chapter because they know where he is buried now.  Mahumapelo also reiterated that the rebranding and renewal of Mahikeng as a capital city will be done to remember heroes like Ngqobe.

Nontombi Ngqobe who was a sister to the deceased said that they appreciated what the provincial government has done. She said that now they will have peace within themselves after the whole nightmare.

Mahumapelo said that this will be done by relocating the Police Head Office from Potchefstroom to Mahikeng and refurbishing Mahikeng stadium. He also added that plans to rebuild world class convention centre in Mahikeng are in place.

-TDN

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