Pretoria - President Jacob Zuma has described the late Major General (retired) Mongameli Johnson Tshali as a dedicated, selfless and true leader, who at all times was ready to be the first and last person.
"Brave amongst the brave, he was dedicated, selfless, a true leader.... even when he is sliding into the thousand stars, we will still say: this is the freedom and democracy he fought for," Zuma said.
Paying tribute to the African National Congress (ANC) struggle icon, Zuma described retired Major General Tshali as a humble, unassuming, but firm and a seasoned commander and cadre of the movement and people's army, uMkhonto we Sizwe.
"He served selflessly and tirelessly in all the assignments that he was given by our leadership, performing to the best of his abilities and leading quietly and in an unassuming fashion, as was his character.
"When one came across him for the first time, they would not even have an idea what a calibre of person he was, until one started an engagement with him, he was full of depth and developed and guided many a cadre in the many posts and responsibilities that he was given.
"Even as we returned to the country as part of the process to craft and eventually have a democratic dispensation, many in our midst remained oblivious to the cause that he had dedicated his entire life to: the realization and defence of a free, democratic, non-racial and non-sexist South Africa towards which he remained loyal until his death," Zuma said.
Zuma said at a time in history when the ANC leadership sought to advance into South Africa and asked the question: "who shall we send"? Tshali became one of the first to respond by saying, "here I stand, send me!
Major General Tshali was born at Alexandria in Port Elizabeth on 16 October 1938 and passed away on 7 September 2011.
He joined the ANC and Umkhonto we Sizwe (MK) in 1961 where he served in various capacities until his return in 1992, where he was deployed in the Eastern Cape.
He was an MK commander in countries including former Union of Soviet Socialist Republic (USSR), Tanzania, Angola, Zambia, Zimbabwe and Mozambique, serving in different capacities.
He served as the ANC Chief Representative in Mozambique between 1975 and 1983.
In 1967-1968, General Tshali was the deputy commander of the Luthuli Contingent which was fighting alongside Zimbabwean People's Revolutionary Army (ZIPRA) forces in the Wankie Sipollilo campaign.
In 1994, General Tshali integrated into the SANDF where he obtained the same rank and served the South African Army as the project leader of Project Juggernaut which was mainly dealing with issues pertaining to discipline.
He was buried on Saturday after a funeral service held at Thaba Tshwane Town Hall, he is survived by his two sons and a daughter. - BuaNews
