Speech by President Mandela at the unveiling of the tombstone of Thomas Nkobi
Speech by President Mandela at the unveiling of the tombstone of Thomas Nkobi
Leondale, 3 August 1996
It was almost two years ago that we buried our dear friend and comrade,
Thomas Nkobi. Not one day goes by where we in the democratic movement do not
draw inspiration from Comrade TG in our work to deepen and defend the democratic
gains that we have made in South Africa.
Comrade Nkobi lived and struggled for the people of this country, an
organiser at heart and a fighter in spirit. From the time he joined the ANC in
the Roaring Fifties, Comrade TG was a dedicated fighter for our freedom. His
name became known far and wide for his role in the legendary Alexandra Bus
Boycott.
When he was arrested at the launch of the potato boycott, he went to prison
dressed in a potato sack. True to his energetic style, he continued organising
for the boycott from his prison cells. It was a great honour for me to have
served and defended him in the trial at which he was acquitted.
Thomas Nkobi was the ANC's national organiser. He was the ANC's Deputy
Treasurer. He was the ANC's Treasurer-General. He was my comrade and friend, as
he was to so many others. In all of these areas, cde TG excelled, built and
developed the movement. Through all the phases of struggle, he could be relied
on to defend and guide our organisation.
When our children and grand-children study the history of the people of South
Africa, they will surely learn about the heroic contribution of Thomas Nkobi: as
an able organiser; as a diplomatic representative of the oppressed, as a capable
fund-raiser and a thrifty and reliable custodian of the movement's resources.
They will learn, too, of what we seldom acknowledge, that it is these difficult
tasks that consumed his life. Our hearts bleed because we miss him. But we do
feel the lump in our throats when we remember him because we are proud that our
people produced sons and daughters who could proudly say that the struggle was
their life.
In Comrade TG's life we can also trace the history of our region. Born of
parents who were drawn to our country by the voracious demand of apartheid's
mines for migrant labour, he gave his life to defeat the system that oppressed
and divided our nation and held the region in its grip. Together with the people
of Southern Africa, we lifted the shadow of apartheid and destabilisation from
our countries. Today we are building together, knowing that just as no part of a
nation can be free in isolation, so too can no country in our region achieve
prosperity on its own.
To Winnie and the Nkobi children: our thoughts are always with you - you
should know that your husband and father was loved and respected by all.
This tombstone that we are unveiling today is a symbol of our collective
memory of our dear comrade, whom we love and honour. In time, heroes like him
should have a proper national monument in their honour. Cde. Thomas Nkobi is no
longer with us. But he lives in our hearts as we build a better life for all, a
cause to which he dedicated his life.
Issued by: African National Congress
