24 October 2004
It is with a deep sense of sadness that the ANC announces the passing on of a member of the National Executive Committee (NEC), Dumisani “Magagula” Makhaye after a long illness in and out of hospital. He died of natural causes at 11:30 this morning at Parklands Hospital in Durban. He was born on 27 March 1955 in Cato Manor otherwise known as Umkhumbane in KwaZulu-Natal.
A giant has indeed fallen, and every member of the ANC and every South African has felt the vibrations of its fall. Dumisani was indeed a true revolutionary, an embodiment of discipline, loyalty and principle.
Dumisani Makhaye was indeed a brave and a daring cadre of the ANC, loyal and uncompromising on matters of principle and organizational discipline. This was a cadre with a rare combination of being frank and receptive to new ideas. He would never flinch from his views in defence of his organization and our revolution in general. A distinguished scholar on the revolutionary theory who has produced many young cadres in the discipline of the movement; a writer on the revolutionary literature whose work will continue to inspire generations to come.
Makhaye was an outstanding teacher to the young cadres of the ANC, who selflessly committed himself to their political growth and development. He served as the political head of communications in the province of KwaZulu-Natal. He was also a member of the political education committee, a member of the NEC Sub Committees for Communications, Political Education, and Labour. A leader who led from the front is indeed no more.
Dumisani Makhaye served as an NEC deployee for the province of the Eastern Cape. He was a former Member of the Executive Council for Housing and currently served as an MEC for Agriculture and Traditional Affairs.
Comrade Dumisani Makhaye left the country in 1976, inspired by leaders like Harry Gwala and Themba Kubheka, South Africa’s former Ambassador to the People’s Republic of China, and many others. He joined the ranks of Umkhonto Wesizwe (MK) under the command of Joe Modise, Joe Slovo, Chris Hani and Cassius Maake. He was deployed to study political science in Cuba for 2 years. Makhaye underwent his military training in Germany, and became part of the special operations unit of MK command of the Natal urban military machinery, and later became integral member of the Natal MK Command.
He worked in the ANC’s Department of Information and Publicity during the 1980s under the leadership of President Thabo Mbeki. It was during this time that he developed his sense of “appreciation for the intellectual depth and insight of President Thabo Mbeki and his refusal to be a prisoner of dogma.” In 1991 after unbanning of the ANC, Dumisani was elected into the executive committee of the ANC in Southern Natal along with comrades like Jeff Radebe, Sbu Ndebele, Nkosazana Zuma, Diliza Mji, Mike Suttcliffe and Linda Zama.
He completed a senior management programme with the University of Pretoria and at the time of his death he was in his final year of his Bachelor of Technology degree within the same University.
A daring tiger of our revolution and one of the key strategist of the ANC; a member of National Executive Committee; a former member of the regional command of Umkhonto Wesizwe, Comrade Dumisani Makhaye has now ceased to exist.
His wonderful strong voice that used to intervene on various key strategic political issues and endeared him to many listeners of Ukhozi fm in KwaZulu-Natal and SAfm nationally, will not be heard again.
At this moment of grief and pain within the ranks of the ANC, the alliance and the mass democratic movement in general, we would like to appeal to all members of these formations to draw strength and courage from the life of Dumisani. We further appeal to all those formations of our movement to draw strength and learn from his dedication, faithfulness, selflessness and loyalty to the ANC.
To his family and friends, the ANC expresses a deep message of condolence. We know for a fact that during this moment no amount of words will satisfy you, but also you must draw solace from the fact that Dumisani’s life has touched many hearts in our nation.
Once more to his wife comrade Linda, and his son, Xolani, and members of the family, the ANC and the liberation movement in general expresses a deep word of gratitude to you all for having contributed the entire life of your husband, father and son to the struggle for the liberation of the oppressed people of South Africa.
To you “Shombela”, Dumisani “Magagula” Makhaye, the ANC says “thank you” for your fearlessness, loyalty and discipline to the cause of our struggle, and for having been committed to execute your responsibility up until the last moment. We promise you, all of us as your comrades as part of your collective will pick up your spear and forge ahead from where you left off. We dip our revolutionary banners and bow our heads in salute to you “Shombela”.
Hamba kakuhle ndoda yamadoda!
Lala kahle qhawe lamaqhawe!
Mthi omkhulu wamahlathi akwaZulu!
Ntsibi engagobanga! Nkunzi emnyama yakwaMakhaye!
Ndoda emnyama yakwaShombela.
May your soul rest in peace Dumi.
Amandla! Mayibuye!