PICS: Jackie Selebi memorial service

Published Jan 29, 2015

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Johannesburg - Mourners gathered and tributes were paid to the memory of the late former police commissioner Jackie Selebi, at a memorial service held in Pretoria on Thursday night.

And while most speakers spoke of the brave prisoner of the apartheid government and struggle veteran, his nephews told mourners of the uncle they never really knew.

His nephew Mohale Selebi said the realisation of how much they had missed out on their relationship had become very apparent in the week since he died.

He said: “We have realised we know very little of him from the accolades that have been coming in.”

The memories of time spent with him were filled with the laughter and jokes his uncle was known for.

The young man took a swipe at those who had failed to stand by his uncle during difficult times.

“We know of those who stabbed him in the back, who did not wish him well,” he said.

He also spoke about forces working towards discrediting the leadership: “While we squabble others are making their way to parliament.

“While we squabble others with dodgey pasts come into the country and want to bring our leaders down.”

The ANC’s Tshwane regional chairman Kgosientso Ramokgopa said the news of Selebi's death had devastated the country.

“Devastation and paralysis reverberated across the ANC and it's structures, “ he said.

The mood at the service was high, and was accentuated by the singing and dancing of struggle songs, which got mourners onto their feet at every possible chance.

Singer and saxophonist Sipho 'Hot Stix' Mabuse performed a couple of songs, saying his friendship with Selebi was older than his public image.

Veterans of the movement also took to the podium to recall moments spent with a younger, more active freedom fighting Selebi.

Fond memories of a Selebi who loved boxing, dancing and partying were shared, as were those of the fierce member of the youth movement who participated in mass actions and protests.

Pretoria News

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