| Ramokone Moloto | Castro Pilusa | France Mohlala | Peter Mokaba | Martha Motswenyane | Florence Masakona | Rufus Maruma |
FRANCE MAHLALA'S OBITUARY
A People's Hero,Mogale wa Bagale
A combatant for life and a patriot to the end
Comrade Mofapa France Mohlala was born in Mamotintante Village on 02 February 1962.He grew up like other kids, went to Motholo Lower Primary and Makgwadiba Higher Schools respectively and then proceeded to Mamabudusha High School where he completed his matrick.
Comrade Frans was drawn to struggle at an early age. His family faced many challenges of forced removals in the 1950s. In his early years his father always told him about farmer who was unhappy about him, a Black African, having so many cattle and finally ensured that the family was harshly dealt with. This had an indelible mark on the young France Mohlala. His unquestionable commitment to the freedom struggle and dedicated leadership to our people is directly derived from these roots.
The Roaring Young Lion
Comrade France belonged to the generation of militant young lions of the 80s who rendered South Africa ungovernable and apartheid unworkable. These ever roaring young lions fought against apartheid under the slogans “Freedom in our life time” and “Freedom or Death, victory is certain”. He was one of the militant revolutionary leaders and fighters to emerge out of Mankweng/Mamotinane to form Mankweng Youth Congress (MAYCO),like comrade Peter Mokaba, Thembi Skosana, Machoco Hlatswayo, Andrew Mehlape, Moss Manale, Shadrack Mafokoane and Castro Pilusa.
During the period 1978 – 1989, comrade France was actively engaged in organising local and regional youth structures. With the later Comrade Peter Mokaba, he used Karate, gumboots dance and other Sports and Cultural activities to organise schools students. He was elected COSAS Mankweng Branch Deputy Chairman in 1981.In 1983 he was elected the inaugural President of Mankweng Youth Congress. MAYCO was the second Youth Congress to be formed in our Country. When the powerful United Democratic Front (UDF) was formed in 1983, he was appointed its Northern Transvaal Regional Organiser. In 1985 the Northern Transvaal Regional Structure of the UDF was launched in the Province as a result of the dedicated and selfless work of Comrade France. He was elected into the UDF Regional Executive Committee under the leadership of that giant of our struggle and Hero of Heroes Cde Mampogoane Peter Nchabeleng. Because of his position as Regional Organiser he was part of the UDF National Executive Committee. In 1985 – 1987 when preparations were being made to launch a Nation Youth Organisation (NYO), he was elected the Treasurer of he National Youth Coordinating Committee. In 1986, he was instrumental in the formation of the might Northern Transvaal Youth Congress (NOTYCO). From 1976 – 1989 he was the Publicity – Secretary of NOTYCO, with comrade Ephraim Mogale as President.
Comrade France was actively involved in the establishment of the Congress of Traditional Leaders of South Africa (CONTRALESA). This structure became very useful in the mobilisation of rural people under Traditional Leaders. Comrade France was also instrumental in the formation of an organisation designed to mobilise migrant workers to participate in community struggles in their villages.
Comrade Mohala was involved in establishing the structures of COSAS throughout the then Northern Transvaal. As a consequence of the work he was doing, he was getting in and out of detention.
He was arrested from time to time for UDF, NOTYCO, SAYCO, COSAA, MAYCO, MACA and struggle activities. He was held on numerous occasions under the security legislation, state of emergency and curfew proclamations. These happened to comrade France because he was the engine at the centre of a huge work of the freedom struggle. He was responsible for organising marches, pickets and demonstrations, mobilising people to rise gains oppression, setting up structures for people's power, organising people in communities, giving leadership to members of the UDF and bravely participating in underground political and military structures of our Movement. As a consequence of this work Cde France like his compatriots Cde Peter Mokaba, Loius Mnguni, Cassel Mathale, Pharephare Mothup, Joyce Mashamba, Marie Stella Mabitje, Maite Marutha, Joyce Mabudafasi, Elleck Nchabeleng and many others became a target of apartheid regime and its fascist apparatus.
A Combatant of Umkonto We Sizwe
In 1989 under the code-name Alex Nhleng, Cde France left the country and joined Umkhonto we Sizwe in Uganda. During his training he was appointed a Company Commissar. Upon completion of his training, he was appointed as an Instructor in Politics and Military Combat Work (MCW) and also became a staff Commissar. When the negotiations in South Africa started to gain momentum, Comrade France was chosen to be amongst those to be trained for new South African National Defence Force.
He received training under the auspices of the Zimbabwe Defence Force where he successfully competed the Company Commanders Course. Post – 1994, Comrade France was integrated into the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) with a rank of Major and thereafter he was appointed to serve in the Integration Committee. He was later promoted to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel in 2001. Comrade France was a dedicated cadre for freedom and consolidation of the new Post 1994 democratic dispensation.
A Leader of the ANC
When the ANC in Limpopo was riddled with factional divisions, the NEC decided to disband the Provincial structures in 2001.
An All Around Cadre
Comrade France served the Movement to the best of his abilities as a Youth Activist, Militant Young Lion, underground Cadre, MK Commissar and leader of our people.
Comrade France liked reading and was part of a team that established the provincial ANC website. He also wrote a paper on Combining Government work with ANC work and another on the National Question.
He also furthered his studies and obtained a Diploma in Personnel and Training Management, and a Certificate in Development Management. Comrade France liked education very much and encouraged many comrades to study, read and write.
The ANC-led Alliance have decided to give Cde France the fitting tribute of “Mogale was Bagale- a Combatant for life and a patriot to the end”.
This is the epitaph we bestowed to the Hero of Heroes Comrade Peter Nchabeleng when we bid farewell to him in May 1986. It is the same epitaph, the singular message, the one tribute, the only slogan we used to bury comrade France's compatriot and friend comrade Peter Mokaba in June 2002.
We used the same message on the occasion of the untimely passing way of comrade Ephraim Mogale in 2003. That is why we are proud to declare comrade France Mohlala “Mogale was Bagale – a combatant for life and patriot to the end”.
Comrade France is tribune of our people, and a giant of giants and warrior amongst warriors.
Cde France served his people and organisation with scintillating stars. Youre laughter, humanness, kindness, selflessness will always be remembered by many of us you lead, encouraged and inspired.
You’ve have been in inspiration to us the youth of the province, an encouragement to the elders a link to the children of the future.
True to his form and character comrade France met his untimely death on his way from a deployment by the Movement. He had just addressed a Biennial BGM of SADTU in Sekhukhune.
Comrade France was dedicated family man and he cuirassed spending quality time at home. He passed away on 16 May 2005. He is survived by his wife Mathlodi, mother Asnath, brother Rufus, Albert, John and Paul, sister Thabitha, Mokgadi and Mapula and two sons Tokologo and Motsamai and his daughter Khomotso.
A Combatant for Life and A Patriot to the End!
Long Live the Fighting Spirit of Cde France Mohlala Long Live!