SIYABONGA SITHOLE
Tragedy has struck the family of the June 16, 1976, Soweto students uprisings hero, the late Tsietsi Mashinini.
The younger brother of Mashinini, Mpho – a Struggle icon in his own right – passed away on Sunday following an undisclosed illness.
His funeral service has been confirmed for Saturday, with the service to be held at Nasrec Expo centre in Soweto from 9am to 12pm.
Mashinini who was one of the founders of the Soweto Youth Congress and a member of the ANC, played a pivotal role in the fight against apartheid. He had established himself as a fighter for human rights and economic freedom, fellow June 1976 activist, Seth Mazibuko, said yesterday.
“The passing of Mpho Mashinini on Sunday is a sad loss not only because he was related to Tsietsi but because in his own right he was part of the June 16, 1976 Struggle.
“It is painful the passing of another stalwart, particularly because of the recent passing of other icons of 1976. It saddens me that all the stalwarts are disappearing,” Mazibuko said.
“Mpho was very strong on economic and land issues and fought for the emancipation of black and township businesses. He was the first to get involved in the taxi businesses and worked hard to professionalise this industry, known to be black and unprofessional.
“We have not only lost a stalwart, but someone who was also spiritually gifted. In his later years he had also become a priest and was the total package. He also tried to start his very own hotel in the south of Johannesburg.
“We have lost a true stalwart and my cry is that we are losing people of that calibre and leadership espoused by the values of June 16 who were value driven. I can only hope that our youth will continue from where he left off,” Mazibuko said.
Speaking for the family, Dee Mashinini, said the family was deeply saddened by the passing of their brother.
“I am emotional. As a family we are saddened about his passing both individually and as a collective. As you might know, Mpho has a long history of political Struggle and liberation behind him.
“He was part of the Black Consciousness Movement, was part of the United Democratic Front as well as the ANC and other political structures.
“He went to prison and was tortured as a result of his involvement in the fight against apartheid. His last days were very hectic as his body had become toxic and his organs had collapsed,” Mashinini told The Star.
In a statement issued by the ANC, the party said it mourns the passing of Mashinini, who was one of the founding members of the Soweto Youth Congress, the Congress of SA Students as well as the convener of the Alexander Youth Congress.
“The ANC sends its heartfelt condolences to the Mashinini family, the liberation movement, friends, comrades and the people of Johannesburg and South Africa. We wish them strength and fortitude during this moment of grief. May his soul rest in peace,” the party said.
The Azanian Peoples’ Organisation (Azapo) said it mourns the passing of Mashinini as he was a key figure in facilitating communication with the Mashinini family when they were repatriating the body of Tsietsi Mashinini back home in 1990 from Guinea where he had died.