(Picture Supplied) : ANC stalwart, Hans Bantjies

By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI
The ANC in the North West mourns the death of its stalwart, Hans Bantjies (50) who passed away on new year’s eve at Schweizer Reneke Provincial Hospital after short illness.

The North West Provincial Legislature (NWPL) Chief Whip, Paul Sebegoe described Bantjies as a selfless combatant who was passionately in love with Africa’s oldest liberation movement.
Sebegoe delivered a eulogy during the memorial service held at Ipelegeng Community Hall in Schweizer Reneke on Tuesday.

Sebegoe said: “This humble cadre and energetic community builder lived for and dedicated his entire life to serving the ANC with every modicum of energy that he could muster. Though he had lost limb from gunshot of the apartheid police during the Mamusa unrests in 1986, he valued life and cherished freedom and equality more.

“Bantjies’ passion for community development saw him establishing the Ipelegeng People with Disabilities Forum that pioneered the development of a Telecentre in the impoverished Township.”
He further said that the ANC Caucus dips its revolutionary banners in appreciation of the service that Bantjies had rendered the ANC and salutes him as a loyal and dedicated cadre.
“Comrade HB and his generation did not betray their mission hence he leaves behind a proud legacy of patriotism, lifelong activism and serving the ANC with pride and dignity.

“His laughter, humour and positive attitude will be sorely missed. We are poorer without him because of the indelible mark he has made and the gigantic footprints he has left in the sands of time, ” said Sebegoe.

He said Bantijies has deeply enriched the activist legislature through his work as a political researcher and a cadre of a special type.
Sebegoe added that Bantjies’ contribution has throughout his employment by the North West Provincial Youth Commission to his current role in the ANC caucus Staff influenced oversight, monitoring, evaluation, youth empowerment and service delivery for the benefit of communities.
“He will forever be engraved in the monument of our hearts as a change agent and a humble patriot par excellent. His positive attitude and preparedness to learn distinguished him from the pack.

“He was not a populist nor a wedge driver that the esteemed ANC President Comrade OR Tambo had warned us during the Morogoro Conference but a unifier,” he underscored.
In paying tribute to Bantjies, Convenor of ANC National Executive Committee (NEC) deployee and Deputy Minister of Corporative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Obed Bapela urged the Mamusa community to deliver a decisive ANC elections victory to honour his memory during the 15 January 2020 municipal bi-elections.
Bapela was accompanied by a high-powered delegation that included his fellow NEC members, Minister of Tourism, Khensani Kubayi-Ngubane and former ANCYL President, Malusi Gigaba and members of the Interim Provincial Committee ANC MP, Kenny Morolong, Lenah Miga and Sophie Maine.
The emotional service was also graced by among others the NWPL Deputy Speaker, Viola Mocumi, Corporative Governance, Traditional Affairs & Human Settlements MEC Gordon Kegakilwe, Public Works MEC Saliva Molapisi, NWPL Chair of Chairs Mmoloki Cwaile, ANC MPs Tidimalo Legwase and Eric Landsman.

Bantijies graduated with BA in Political Science from the University of Cape Town (UCT) back in 1997.
Former anti-apartheid activist, Bantjies who had served as one of the political researchers for the NWPL ANC Caucus since 2014 is to be buried on Saturday at Ipelegeng Township.

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