“My father, my brother, my mentor, my everything”

Today we are gathered here to bid farewell to a Legend. A Freedom fighter, whose mere name tormented and haunted all oppressive regimes. A baobab tree that gave us shade has fallen. My brother is no more! May he live forever! My last interaction (by way of a text message) with him was on the February 26, 2024, following his 96th birthday celebrations hosted by the ANC Veterans in Johannesburg. He wrote:

“Dear Junior,

Thanks for the birthday wishes. As usual yours is always the ultimate of the ultimate – the ultimate fraternal word! The birthday was superb. Otherwise, the day was sweet with Thembi and Tebogo in charge and Gosego, Khumo and Masego, daughter of Thato. It was a good party. Best of days to you Junior!!!

Senior”

I couldn’t imagine that less than two months later he will be no more. His passing has left a gaping hole in my heart. Nothing will ever close it. A part of me is gone. ‘MK’ was my everything: my brother, father and mentor. I am a judge now because of ‘MK’.

When I was at secondary school, and he was locked up by the apartheid regime in Robben Island, I sought his advice on two matters concerning my career: (a) to advise on the qualifications I needed in order to be a Judge or President of Botswana; and (b) the salary package attached to each position.

He advised that it would be nice to be a Judge, but that I would need to work hard and obtain my LLB degree at the very least. He suggested that as for the Presidency, I already qualified as I am a Motswana and can read and write English. He didn’t remember the salary package of each but promised to find out.

I decided to study hard as advised to realise my dream of being a Judge. After I completed my senior secondary school, I was lucky to be employed at the Bank of Botswana. My then Director of Banking, Dr Muzila, Tebelelo Seretse’s sister, offered me a lucrative Bank of Botswana scholarship to go and study Accounting overseas. Significantly, that involved flying to faraway lands, in an aeroplane for the first time. I decided to dump Law there and then.

When I told ‘MK’ about my decision, he told me, sternly, to my face, that that would not happen, as I was going to do Law. Like my father, once he had taken a decision that was the end of the debate. So, as directed, I enrolled for my LLB at the University of Botswana. Well, as they say the rest is history!

I was about 22 years when my father answered the call of his ancestors. The balance of the years, I have lived under MK’s tutelage, as my father, my brother, my friend and my keeper. He has been there to shield me from danger and to console me when the enemy mistakes my work as his! Such is the nature of the brotherhood that developed between us. Throughout our lives we have been confused for each other and our names mixed. I remember on one or two occasions it was alleged that he was a Justice of the High Court of Botswana. This confusion persisted even after his passing!

Many years ago, annoyed by some development, he wrote something like: “they say the law is an ass – but judges may be worse”. I was crucified in some quarters and made to account for it, even though I was not privy to what he wrote.

Now, isolated and feeling brutalised and broken by life, in this far-flung place called Kokopo, Papua New Guinea (PNG), where I came to eke a living for my family, I feel an irritating emptiness in my stomach. The ‘MK’ I know wouldn’t want it that way. He would want me to accept what happened and move on with life.My brother was a remarkable man. He lived a full and fulfilling life, lit by a vision of a just world. I will let you into the secret of his long life. Other than that he liked walking, the secret of his long life lies in our clan mythology. Here are the tidbits of the story: The head of the Sejie clan was known as a great and successful hunter among his neighbours. He was also a great trapper. He would trap all sorts of game: diphala, dikgaka le diphuduhudu. One day when he was checking his traps, he saw that one of his traps had caught some scary creature and he was startled, and he started running away. A voice came from the creature saying “don’t run away, if you untie me, Sejiye, you will grow old, until your back cracks because of age. Do not tell anyone about what you saw and if you do, you will collapse and die”!

Sejie was of old age when his back started cracking and they would cover it with cow-dung. It was painful and he was ready to go. He asked everyone to dig a grave for him and he revealed the story, collapsed, died and was buried then and there. Hence, this became the legend of the Sejiye clan. Sejiye had trapped Setotwane. This is the source of our longevity as a clan!

‘MK’s single minded resolve was to play his part in the liberation of his people as a Pan Africanist. His world view was grounded on social justice, and it was this that channelled his anger against oppression and in his own words he was prepared to die fighting for black people. His commitment for freedom and justice claimed his deeper allegiance. His commitment to justice is aptly encapsulated in the title of one of his books: Better to Die on One’s Feet than Live on One’s Knees”.

This commitment was recognised by South Africa, when some years back, the former President of South Africa, President Mbeki, conferred on him the Order of the Grand Companions of Oliver Tambo. It was because of his conviction to freedom that he ended up serving 15 years imprisonment in South Africa for advancing the cause of the then banned organisation, the African National Congress (ANC).

‘MK’ was one of the key leaders of the South Africa struggle. He served in the structures of Umkhonto We Sizwe (MK), the armed wing of the ANC, and after Nelson Mandela was arrested, he assumed responsibility for MK operations, including the infiltration of trained MK cadres into South Africa.

He also assisted FRELIMO freedom fighters in Mozambique to prosecute their struggle. It was while incarcerated on Robben Island that he earned three degrees: BA in Politics and Economics, a BA Degree in Administration and Local Government Accounting, and a B.Com in Business Economics and Accounting. He was released in 1981, and soon after his release, he enrolled in the struggle for a better life for his people in Botswana. He also continued his involvement in the underground structures of the ANC.

Whenever I cast my mind back, I am struck by his personality and qualities. ‘MK’ was the very personification of discipline, principle and integrity. He was a renowned wordsmith. He wrote simply, beautifully and intensely. Don’t ever be deceived by his laid back and soft demeanour.

His was a demeanour of a lion resting. He exuded amazing calmness and a quick glance at him you could mistake him for a pastor. Like Dad, he spoke slowly.

He detested dishonesty, lies and coming late. He was not a saint though, unless you understand a saint from Mandela’s perspective who described a saint as a sinner who keeps trying. He had an inner strength that is difficult to describe.

On principle he was unbending. A light example will drive the point home.

Many years ago, at my sister Annie’s wedding, in Thamaga, a choir in a moment of euphoria sang that the bride was as beautiful as a coloured. Many of you here may know that song. He stopped them in their tracks! The song smacked of racism! ‘MK’ detested it!

His love for his family was deep. Mike was a loving family man. First and foremost, he forged a union of equals with his wife Mma Thembi. Both shared the same values and have been in the trenches together for freedom and better life for all. Both simple, humble and loving human beings.

Generosity of spirit and resilience are qualities they both shared. They have always moved together in thought and action. As a couple, they were totally committed to a cause they believe in and betraying such a cause is not in their DNA.

‘MK’ may be gone, but his tenacity, resilience, love for people lives in my beloved sister, Mma Thembi, and all freedom loving people here and beyond. If anyone doubts ‘MK’s commitment to gender equality, he must read his book: My Mother was a Woman that was recently reviewed by one of my all-time favourite teachers and literary giant, Mr Methaetsile Leepile.

MK was a symbol of courage and resilience. Today as we gather to celebrate the life of this icon of our people, and his indefatigable spirit, we are reminded that his passing is doubly auspicious; the seeds he planted seem to be on the verge of bearing fruit, in our lifetime, promising a harvest enough to feed the whole nation.

There are green offshoots mushrooming all over heralding what could be a year of bumper harvest, consistent with his vision. We hope the heavens open up and it continues raining as it currently does, so that these green offshoots can deliver what he struggled for all his life.

Farewell Sejiye, Motho Moleele Re Molela Tala! Robala ka kagiso Morwa -a -Dingake- a Dintwa- a Makwele – a Sejie Sa Ngwako!. All is well with my soul. I accepted it was your time to go. You ran your race as a humble servant of the people. I have accepted that as they say; there is a time for every matter under heaven. A time to be born and a time die.

I will miss you sorely Senior. Rest in peace the people’s hero. Do take a rest Sejie, and don’t distribute forms enrolling people in the lime revolution you founded upon arrival in heaven.

I can assure you, my dear brother, in conclusion, that we, your family members – all of us, shall never dishonour the cause of freedom.

To this extent, it seems appropriate in his honour, to end this eulogy, by chanting, two mantra phrases ‘MK’ lived by: “Let Freedom reign”, “Let my people go”!

Robala sentle Sejie!

*Professor Justice Obk Dingake is Judge of the Suprement and National Courts of Papua New Guinea, former Judge of the High Court and the Industrial Court of Botswana