My First encounter with Cde Tate was probably In June 2004 during the (then) annual Youth Parliament Session organized by the Free State Legislature. I was the Deputy Chairperson of the African Students Congress (SASCO) in the Free State, and was assigned by the
organisation to represent it in a debate. During my submission, I quoted the famous quote by the late President of the ANC, OR Tambo: The country that does not take care of its
youth deserves no future. Cde Tate spent most of his input/reply dealing with my submission.
If he had speaking notes on that day, he hardly referred to them. At first, I felt attacked. He took time to demonstrate to me how the post-apartheid state under the ANC was working hard to improve the living conditions of its citizenry, particularly young people. ...
Many years later, with the benefit of hindsight, I got to understand and appreciate, his
direct and lengthy response to my submission. There is often a tendency by many of us to use ‘quotable quotes’ out of context, at best because we want to appear to have read. At worst, many of use these quotes without a modicum of understanding of either their essence, therefore their relevance to the arguments one is advancing, or sometimes their context a crucial factor in knowledge production and something and terribly because we lack an understanding of both.
Over the years, I would be in a number of spaces with Cde Tate. Some of these spaces included ‘intellectuals’, academic and/or scholar. It is a common cause that many of these individuals, objectively and subjectively, consistency criticize the ANC.
Objectively, it is easy even for lazy observers to pick up on this or that policy issue to level criticism against ANC for it is the governing party.
Governance is full of problems.
They are permanent. Many a times, these people hide behind ‘analysis’ to complain about issues that affect them personally. I always marvelled at how Cde Tate almost always readily
repudiated the criticisms using facts (statistics) across the entire policy spectrum. I have seen many ANC leaders at all levels being unable to correct distortions made in their
presence. Cde Tate was no such a member and leader. Many of us would understandably remember him for his exceptional exemplary leadership in the education sector, but Cde Tate’s
knowledge of the public policy, projects and programmes knew no boundaries. This was admirable feat. To borrow from Nelson Mandela on his remarks about Walter Sisulu in his autobiography,
Cde Tate’s demeanour would easily make one to want to take up ANC membership.
Cde Tate skilfully ran a successful elections campaign in the Free State. In PET meetings, you could tell
when he spoke that he knew every corner of every municipality consistent with the provision in the Strategy and Tactics document that the ANC must master the electoral terrain. He
would listen patiently to all reports/presentations from LET Coordinators, without interruption. Once a presenter is done, he would start by asking questions on issues that reports omitted.
He would tell each LET leadership where they were exaggerating or understanding expected electoral performance. He paid attention to detail.
As an activist who was still growing,
I learnt a great deal from this moment regarding the balance between honest feedback and demonstrable respect for one’s dignity. Lastly, Cde Tate is deservedly revered for putting Free State
on the map when it comes to performance of our matriculants every year. In Fact, it is not only through the matric results that Free State became the envy of other provinces. It was also under
his leadership as a Member of Executive Council (MEC) for Education that the Province designed and rolled out the biggest bursary scheme that saw a many of our young people sent all over the
world to learn. Those who have been outside the Free State would know how frowned upon as a Province. I often experienced this myself, but there are two moments that stand out. During my student
days at Wits University, I used to attend a number of public debates organised by the Wits School of Governance. A number of high-profiled people used to enjoy my ideas, but they would be shocked
that I come from Free State. The second moment was when I was interviewed for a position of a board member at the Municipal Demarcation Board in 2018. The panel took comfort break after my interview.
The chairperson of the panel and I stumbled on each other in a toilet. He took an opportunity to say “I am surprised that you are from Free State Ntate Mogale. I did not know there are people like
you in Free State.” Cde Makgoe’s consistent exceptional performance in the education sector demystified stories like these.
It is through him that the Province became the point of reference and envy
of others. Indeed, he leaves behind a big void. We have lost a star performer, an epitome of consistency of excellence. Had I known Cde Tate the personal, I would attribute his notable outstanding
qualities to some source. Sadly, I have already confirmed my shortcomings in this regard. Looking at his professional conduct and impact in all portfolios he has held in the Free State Legislature
and the Free State Executive Council, one is reminded of the apt words from Frantz Fanon, from the book, Towards the African Revolution: “It is a common saying that man, and that were he to claim
that he is no longer, he would be denying himself”. Fanon proceeds to caution that were we to stop to challenge ourselves, thereby denying ourselves, we would effectively contribute to “an
impoverishment of human reality”. Cde Tate’s constant search for his growth and development in a quest to contribute to the improvement of human reality I line with our Bill of Rights is evidenced
by the fact that, notwithstanding his busy schedule, he passes on being a PhD student. He had already obtained several qualifications. That he received two Honorary Doctorates from VUT and CUT is a
testament of not just brilliance, but a dedication and commitment for excellence in all spheres of life. He understood that the revolution, and the consequent governance responsibility, are not easy.
Thus, one would surmise that he would have read The Road Less Travelled by Dr Morgan Scott Peck, especially the opening line: “Life is too difficult”. Dr Morgan then proceeds: Most do not fully see
this truth that life is difficult. Instead, they moan more or less incessantly, noisily or subtly, about the enormity of their problems, their burdens, and their difficulties as if life were generally
easy, as if life should be easy”. He add, “Life is a series of problems. Do we want to moan about them or solve them? Do we want to teach our children to solve them?” Cde Tate deeply understood the
inherent and inevitable difficulty of life and the double enormity of a task to liberate mainly African people and blacks in general from the bondage of the apartheid past. Arguably, it is this
double enormity that propelled him to continuously challenge himself so that he is armed with requisite skills, knowledge and competencies to solve novel and perennial problems afflicting our people,
using the ANC as an instrument of change. On occasions such as this, the late Thomas Sankara would have been quick to dissuade us from weeping. For him, weeping is an act of “sentimentalism”, which he
argues “belongs to the messianic vision of the world, which since it expects a single man to transform the universe, inspires lamentation, discouragement, and despondency as soon as this man disappears.”
Thus, in this context, while our hearts are heavy for the loss of this icon, we know his ceasing to breathe does not denote an end to the complex transformation of the education sector in particular and
our society in general. The contribution of Cde Tate in a quest for ennoblement of humanity is a matter of common knowledge. Difficult as it is, we must all accept that his departure is irreversible.
We must honour and celebrate the prominent role he played in putting the Free State Province on a pedestal of excellence. The best way to honour and appreciate his legacy would be our continued and
unwavering commitment to the pursuit of the ideals embellished in the Bill of Rights of our Constitution. Perhaps the following quotation from a young Karl Marx best describes the contribution of our
selfless comrade and leader.
Matjhabeng Local Municipality recently hosted an anti-corruption, fraud and ethics
workshop in collaboration with different stakeholders. The workshop aimed to boost
morality and accountability among management and employees.
Presentations from different stakeholders such as the Department of Cooperative Governance, the Special Investigation Unit, the Hawks, SALGA as well as AGSA covered an array of topics such as:
• Local Government Anti-Corruption
• Strategy Objectives
• Municipal Integrity Management.
• Framework
• Promoting a Professional Ethical
• Culture
• Lifestyle Audits
• Ethics on organisation
According to the National Development Plan (NDP), the vision for 2030 is zero tolerance for corruption. In 2030, South Africa will be a society in which citizens do not offer bribes and have the confidence and knowledge to hold public and private officials to account, and which leaders have integrity and high ethical standards.
The local government anti-corruption strategy objectives include:
• Promoting community ownership by promoting community participation and awareness campaigns.
• Strengthening municipalities resilience against corruption by implementing the integrity Management Framework and
• Building trust and accountability through effective investigation and resolution by improving oversight of investigation and consequences, among others....
Matjhabeng Accounting Officer, Advocate Lonwabo Ngoqo explained the importance of the workshop in fostering a culture of accountability, ethics and good governance in the Municipality in the interest of executing the institution’s mandate diligently. Advocate Ngoqo was commended by stakeholders for requesting the workshop as it indicates a clear intention for an accountable and ethical administration.
Issues such as whistle blower protection were identified as aspects that may hinder the whistle blower culture as those who report wrongdoing are often victimized. It emerged that in many instances, whistle blowers do not need physical protection but often to be supported psycho socially as well.
Attendees were made aware of the different triggers that may tempt them to commit fraud and corruption in the workplace as well as cautioned against it because they may lose jobs, families and even their freedom: if they are prosecuted.
The workshop was instrumental in steering the ship towards the right direction by ensuring that the institution’s management and employees always act in accordance with the law and strive to be ambassadors of fraud, crime and corruption free municipality.
Matjhabeng Local municipality would like to thank all stakeholders for their invaluable contribution. We look forward to realizing the Matjhabeng Idea with you.
Fraud defined:
Fraud is intentional deception(dishonesty) to secure unfair or unlawful gain, or to deprive a victim of a legal right.
OR
Fraud is any activity that relies on deception in order to achieve a gain.
AND
Fraud becomes a crime when it is a knowing misrepresentation of the truth or facts.
Dire Consequences:
Fraud is not a victimless crime fraud can be a traumatic experience that often causes real and irreversible impacts for victims, their families, carriers and communities.
Those who rely on government services (such as elderly, the vulnerable, the sick and the disadvantaged) are often the ones most harmed by fraud.
Fraud can have a devastating impact on the victims and increase the disadvantage, vulnerability and inequality they suffer.
Fraud can also cause lasting mental and physical trauma for victims; Fraud also results in lost opportunities for individuals and the municipality.
The mood was high when the Free State Farmers had a dialogue on energy crisis at IPJ Hall in Glen College of Agriculture on Tuesday.
The purpose of the dialogue was to discuss the crisis of energy in the farming sector and come up with collective decision to resolve energy crisis. Among the stakeholders there were AFASA organisation, representatives from Free State Agriculture, Representative from
Land Bank, representatives from Eskom as well as the commercial farmers including emerging farmers to brainstorm this burning issue....
Mr M Masoka from AFASAA said: “Farmers proposes solar system as the alternative to mitigate the load shedding crisis that farmers are
encountering at the moment. We request the MEC to visit our farms and see the pain and the impact of load shedding that damaged our
crops and livestock. We therefore request your department to intervene in terms of assisting and supporting farmers. Black farmers we
are on our own and we need guidance, we are crying along no none assist u s therefore we call to our department do to more in terms of
supporting farmers”, said Masoka.
Free State Agriculture representative Dr. Jeff Armour said when addressing the farmers: “Solar system farming is economical and cost-effective therefore farmers should opt for it. Farmers uses electricity to pump water for irrigation, therefore the issue of load shedding really affect the productions of all farmers. We should invest in new machines to advance the commercial farmers and emerging farmers” said Armour.
Lukas Mazibuko representative from Eskom said: We as the Eskom we need to do what we can do to ensure that electricity is available without the electricity you cant work. Yes we are aware as we speak the country is on the crisis of load shedding. We are going to ensure that we don’t have total shutdown in the country. We have good package called “demand side” is going help you about you bills. We are also looking at the fix amount price list and we are going to review our block
of our load sheeding schedules, so we are revising that to ensure that we are not compromising farmers: “said Mazibuko. MEC of Agriculture
and Rural Development in the Free State Thembeni Nxangisa said: “We have numbers of solution, we are suggesting to mitigate load shedding
one is solar system to reducing the impact of loadshedding but also there is a suggestion that we must relieve fuel levy for farmers
especially to desiel to reduce food cost.
But also there has to be mapping of Telkom lines to farmers of areas so that must regulate load shedding properly and it must not be haphazard. Those are brilliant suggestions coming from the dialogue and I think we will find way to work together. In agriculture we are experiencing of all kinds of disaster but for now we are focusing on load shedding,” he said.
Free State Sun spoke to Ditaba Chonjwa a farmer based at Glen thorn farm near Glen College sain:’ I am farming with mix farming like Goats,
sheep, cattle and pigs and crops.
The load shedding have affect me a lot especially on animals need water to live, it will do everything to get water and they end up drinking at the dangerous place were they end up dying. I have lost about 25 cattle because of load shedding.
On the issue of crops I don’t produce enough food because of load shedding. We are so happy that they MEC is going assist us,” said Chonjwa.
He told Jakes Jooste, chairman of the Welkom Business Forum, that if the government and the business sector can support one another and work together, success will be guaranteed. “We (government) encourage your members (business) to work with us,” Ramaphosa told Jooste. Jooste says less than 100 people, 13 of which were Matjhabeng business people, attended the luncheon. Our mayor, Thanduxolo Khalipha, and the president got very well, and the fact that Ramaphosa came to Welkom and spent an hour in a round-table discussion with business people could bode well for Matjhabeng,” Says Jooste.
With festive holidays two months away, the South African Road Agency (SOC) Limited has joined hands with provincial and local governments to fix all roads and improve the safety of travellers. This weekend, SANRAL partnered with the municipality in Welkom, int the Free State to repair potholes. Provincial and local governments are strategic partners of SANRAL which is the lead agency implementing the government’s Vala Zonke project, which aims to repair all potholes across the country in six months....
The Free State which long has been dogged by the stigma of bad roads, mainly due to the high volumes of trucks, has already fixed and filled over 16 540 potholes. The Operational Vala Zonke team in the Free State, converged on the busy R70 Road between the mining towns of Welkom and Hennenman in Matjhabeng Local Municipality and repaired potholes as part of plans to combat the annual carnage on South African roads over the festive season. Sanral executives led by board chairperson Themba Mhambi were fully in fore by the road side operation to repair potholes.
Presidential visit to Welkom sheds light on how his vision and mayor’s align.
“The success of the economy of Matjhabeng revolves around the extend to which the business community can work with us(government) to have a contract that can work”.
So said, President Ramaphosa during the ANC Letsema campaign in Welkom on Saturday (08/10).
He visited the ward 11 sewage treatment, the ward 15 clinic, a cleaning campaign in ward 15, engaged with ANC branches in Far East, Thabong, and had lunch with stakeholder and the business community at Lemotso Primary School....
He told Jakes Jooste, chairman of the Welkom Business Forum, that if the government and the business sector can support one another and work together, success will be guaranteed. “We (government) encourage your members (business) to work with us,” Ramaphosa told Jooste. Jooste says less than 100 people, 13 of which were Matjhabeng business people, attended the luncheon. Our mayor, Thanduxolo Khalipha, and the president got very well, and the fact that Ramaphosa came to Welkom and spent an hour in a round-table discussion with business people could bode well for Matjhabeng,” Says Jooste.
Much has been discussed regarding the economy of matjhabeng municipality, lack of local demand remains a major obstacle limiting Matjhabeng local municipality’s economic growth potential, and to the success of attracting investments to revive the local economy....
As part of enhancing and to revitalize the local economy in its six townships, Matjhabeng mayor Thanduxolo Khalipa has taken a distinctive direction to formulate a contingency plan to invigorate the municipality.
