Johannesburg - Comrades and friends described the late former Communications Workers’ Union (CWU) national spokesperson Matankana Mothapo as an opinionated and anarchic leader who always wanted to argue his point.
A memorial service for Mothapo, who passed on in Joburg on Wednesday last week, was held at the University of Johannesburg’s (UJ) Bunting Road Campus on Wednesday night. He was 35.
Those who attended included leaders and supporters of Cosatu, ANC, SA Communist Party and the various leagues of the mass democratic movement.
Speakers described him as a “good cadre” who always sported a permanent smile, “but he was not a peaceful cadre” and was fondly referred to as a “squabblist par excellence”.
CWU general secretary Aubrey Tshabalala, who Mothapo served under, said the lanky cadre did not shy away from arguing his point.
Tshabalala recalled that when the CWU took a decision for President Jacob Zuma to step down, Mothapo did not take kindly to the decision, but as a disciplined cadre “he went out and pronounced on the union’s decision”.
“He was not violent but not peaceful because comrade Matankana would make you sweat … and when he mobilises against you, you must (you’re gone).
He knew the revolution is about grabbing the apple and making it fall,” he said, adding no one would be able to fill the void he had left.
In his opening remarks University of Johannesburg Convocation president, Mbali Mkhonto, referred to Mothapo, an astute communicator, as his leader. He praised him for contributing significantly to the building of the UJ, his alma mater.
“He demonstrated great capabilities of being a leader. He was never a jealous man, when you are doing well he would tell you that you are doing well (and) if you are making a mistake, he would tell you so,” he added.
Young Communist League of SA (YCLSA) national committee member Precious Banda said Mothapo came from their ranks and was a good foot soldier.
“He was an aspiring communist, he believed in the struggle for socialism and he believed that the NDR (national democratic revolution) is the route to socialism.”
Banda said Mothapo did not personal differences. “He was a true comrade of the movement, he was fearless, outspoken and confrontational. He was not a conformist, he was a comrade of his own convictions,” added Banda.
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