COSATU+GS+Z+Vavi+at+Barney+Molokoane+tombstone+unveiling



=Speech by Zwelinzima Vavi COSATU General Secretary=

at the Barney Molokoane tombstone unveiling ceremony

 * 8 December 2007**


 * Family and friends of Comrade Barney Molokoane**
 * Leadership of the MKVA**
 * Leadership of the ANC, SACP and COSATU**
 * Comrades and friends**

It is a great honour to be given the opportunity to add my tributes to the legendary hero of our armed struggle comrade Barney Molokoane. Comrade Barney belonged to the elite Special Operation unit of the Peoples’ Army Umkhonto we Sizwe. This unit carried out spectacular operations including against symbols of apartheid like SASOL and the Voortrekkerhoogte Army base in Pretoria.

Together with comrades Vincent Sekete and Victor Khayiyane, Comrade Barney died fighting rather than surrender to the apartheid security forces. This act of bravery was an inspiration to thousands of MK soldiers and the masses of our people yearning for freedom and democracy in our lifetime.

As we assemble here to dip our banners to salute one of ours who belonged to that elite group of tireless freedom fighters, we at the same time remember thousands and thousands of youth who swelled the ranks of MK. Many MK soldiers remain the unsung heroes and heroines whose blood, as Solomon Mahlangu declared, watered the tree of freedom.

I speak of a generation that even before they left their homes for foreign countries engaged the might of the apartheid security forces in countless battles in the dusty streets of townships and rural areas. It was they who engaged the enemy everywhere in our region, fighting side by side with ZIPRA, SWAPO, MPLA and Frelimo. It was MK, in an alliance with these forces of liberation, that contributed to the freedom of our people in Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Namibia and ultimately South Africa itself.

As we remember Barney Molokoane, we also pay tribute to those who also perished in the hands of the enemy. This is a generation that defied death, and many paid with their lives. Today we remember those hanged by the regime, killed in the battlefield, including in foreign lands, those tortured to death, and the countless others who were held on Robben Island and in other prisons across the length and breadth of our country.

Military actions by MK restored confidence among our people by showing that the enemy is not invincible. They showed the apartheid regime that our people were willing to fight on all fronts for their liberation. The settlement in 1994 was a direct result of the struggle waged on all fronts – the armed struggle, international solidarity, mass mobilisation and the underground. We owe our freedom to martyrs of the revolution like Comrade Barney Molokoane, who laid down their lives so that can enjoy the fruits of liberty.

Comrade Barney Molokoane and his comrades symbolised the dedication, selflessness and courage that spurred many of our comrades to fight against colonial oppression, economic exploitation and patriarchal domination. We must reclaim these values, nurture them and bequeath them to future generations of revolutionaries.

Comrades fought for and dedicated their lives to the noble cause of emancipating our people from the oppressive system of apartheid. We owe it to our fallen heroes to realise the Freedom Charter vision of a free, democratic, non-racial, non-sexist and egalitarian society. Those of us remaining have a heavy responsibility and duty to pursue the struggle to its logical conclusion, to fulfil the yearning of our people for freedom.

Thirteen years after the democratic breakthrough there is a lot we should be proud of. Yet we cannot rest on our laurels as long as there are children without food, education and a decent life. We cannot give up the struggle when so many of our people are unemployed and poor, and lack access to decent healthcare, public transport, basic public services. In short, we cannot retire if our people do not enjoy a better life. The struggle continues!

In about a week delegates from all corners of South Africa will descend into Polokwane for the 52nd Conference of the African National Congress. The Conference will deliberate on future directions of our movement and elect a leadership collective to implement the mandate of our people. In addition, the conference will lay the ground for our campaign for the 2009 General Elections. The eyes of the world will be upon the conference affirming the centrality of the ANC as the premier liberation movement and party in government. It is this duality that makes the ANC such an important and powerful movement of our times.

No one here needs to be reminded that we face deep divisions as we approach this conference. It is not being alarmist to say the movement faces its greatest challenge since 1994 to its internal unity and cohesion. Given these challenges we must not lose our focus. But neither should we paper over the cracks. We must confront these challenge head on and emerge united from the conference.

Even more important, those elected must not be tempted to vanquish their perceived opponents. Such an approach will not heal the movement but only serve to widen the gulf of divisions. We must also emerge with policies and determination to confront the scourge of unemployment, poverty and inequality.

In short, comrades, we face a heavy responsibility not to betray our fallen heroes by squandering this opportunity to reunify our movement towards the noble goal of the emancipation of our people. The 52nd Conference should not be remembered as the moment we buried the ANC. Rather it should go down the annals of our history as the conference that rebuilt the unity of our movement; the conference that recommitted us to the tripartite alliance; and a key moment of rededication to take the struggle to new heights.

To the Molokoane family, we know that we have revived memories that are not pleasant. You lost your son. Losing him to the struggle, yes, make your pain to be infused with feelings of pride, but it is still pain. We bring you messages of solidarity from COSATU members. We know no freedom can replace your son but please be comforted by knowing that he did not sacrifice his life in vain.

Lala kakuhle Qhawe lamaqhawe!

Amandla!

1027 words