The family of the struggle icon Dr Ngaka Molema says the fallen stalwart would not be happy about the government’s failure to render services to the people. Molema who was a teacher, medical practitioner and national secretary of the ANC died in 1965.
The family was speaking on the sidelines of the commemoration service to honour the man, whom the Ngaka Modiri Molema District municipality was named after. A family representative, Patrick Kgwadi, described Molema as a selfless man who sacrificed his life for liberation and would be disappointed if his actions were in vain.
“He started with the ANC when it was formed in 1912 when it was still called the African Native Congress. The African National Congress name only came later in 1923. “He left for foreign countries determined to develop his people with the wealth of education that he later brought to South Africa. Besides being a medical practitioner, he was an educationalist. He was a community man, who always supported and encouraged people to start their own businesses.
“He would be very hurt to see that now businesses are not supported. For instance, another issue that I know was close to his heart was farming because he was a farmer.
“So he used to assist farmers with the necessary support they needed as a community leader. Something, which our government fails dismally to do,” Kgwadi said.
The District Mayor, Khumalo Molefe acknowledged that more work still needs to be done.
“A lot of work has been done, the foundation has been laid. We had to make mistakes as a new democratic government. Those who we inherited the country from, had 300 years of leading. We only have 27 years. It was bound to happen that in the process, in the journey we were going to make mistakes.
“We have a challenge with water, we can’t deny it. It’s a national program. We are working around the clock. Ever since we got in the office, we have never rested.
“We are trying to resolve the question of water, which is a problem. Its excess is abated by the load-shedding problem. But we are not resting. We are doing everything possible in our power. We won’t let our people down,” said Molefe.