Life and times of Collins Chabane remembered

Thursday, March 19, 2015

By More Matshediso and Nosihle Shelembe

Pretoria – “He was a son anyone would be proud of. He was a father that my sister and I will never forget... and we are grateful to have had him.”

These were the soft-spoken words from Matimba Chabane that captured the hearts and attention of thousands of mourners as South Africans from all walks of life reflected on the life and times of Minister Collins Chabane.

A real chip off the old block, Matimba – the son of the late Minister Chabane – was every bit as composed and considered, even managing a funny anecdote or two, when he took to the podium at the Tshwane Events Centre on Thursday.

The young man had the arduous task of representing the family at the Official Memorial Service held for his father, who died on Sunday, 15 March, along with two of his protectors – Sergeants Lesiba Sekele and Lawrence Lentsoane – in a crash on the N1 in Limpopo.

His sister Tsakani stood in quiet solidarity next to him, as his mother – Minister Chabane’s widow Mavis – watched surrounded by many people who had walked and served with the man who has been branded as a “real people’s person”.

“My father taught us to be appreciative of the small things we had; to be appreciative of the small and big things; to be appreciative at all times,” said Matimba.

The late Minister, whose multifaceted life includes being an accomplished musician, golfer and politician, has clearly made an indelible mark on his son, who said he consulted his father on everything he did.

“To my sister and I, he was everything. He was a colleague that we aspired to be like… he was a friend that we dreamed of having based on his friends commending him on his loyalty. He was a husband that we aspired to be based on how much my mother loved him,” Matimba said.

He thanked leaders in government and friends who had honoured his father this week.

A man of integrity

Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) President Sdumo Dlamini said Minister Chabane passed at a time when Cosatu and the Department of Public Service and Administration (DPSA) were in the public service wage talks.

“He was a man who had an ear to listen to workers… At the time of his passing, we were yet to meet. Public service workers in South Africa are waiting earnestly to hear that their work will be compensated in a manner equivalent to the very difficult circumstances [under which they work],” he said.

He said the Minister was passionate about his job and had the best interests of public servants at heart. He shared ideas on how to mitigate problems affecting public servants.

South African Communist Party (SACP) central committee member George Mashamba said the country has lost a stalwart, who fought against the struggle of poverty and inequality in South Africa.

“We have lost a social partner… We have come here to pledge that his spirit will forever live in us,” said Mashamba.

An emotional DPSA Deputy Minister Ayanda Dlodlo also joined the speakers who paid tribute to Minister Chabane.

“Today, we celebrate Minister Chabane’s life for the legacy he has created… ‘Daddy cool’, as he was known in the department,” she said.

She praised Minister Chabane for possessing a skill that only a few can master -- listening attentively and knowing when to intervene in a discussion or debate.

“He dedicated his life to serving our people,” she said.

The Deputy Minister said the ANC should learn from the likes of Minister Chabane, Nelson Mandela, O R Tambo, Walter Sisulu and others.

Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly Lechesa Tsenoli said all political parties in Parliament were shocked at the untimely death of Minister Chabane.

He said Minister Chabane’s ability to listen and negotiate landed him many management positions in Parliament.

“He was an exemplary public representative… Parliament is poorer for the loss,” said Tsenoli.

Reserve Bank Governor Lesetja Kganyago said Minister Chabane was transparent in his dealings.

“He understood the importance of accountability… that the resources we had the privilege of accessing on behalf of the people … had to be used in a manner that we had to account for.

“Minister Chabane understood this better than most of us,” he said.

“We are here today to reflect on a man who knew no boundaries in serving his people… [He was] a friend, soldier, leader, political pragmatist, diligent worker, our brother and a father to many for the charitable work that he did through his …. Xakani Foundation.”

Minister Chabane will be laid to rest on Saturday in his home village of Xikundu. – SAnews.gov.za