Eulogies for Lennox Sebe as tombstone unveiled

Report and pictures by Lulamile Feni

BISHO -- Former Ciskei life president Lennox Sebe was described here at the weekend as the only African leader who had managed to build a new town, unite citizens irrespective of political affiliation and place agriculture and education close to his heart.

Speaking at the unveiling of Sebe's tombstone at the Brownlee Congregational Church on Saturday, former Ciskei education director-general KB Tabata said his late boss was a true leader who had led with wisdom and ensured his people were not deprived of education.

Tabata said Sebe's educational legacy was immortalised by the Fort Hare University campus in Bisho -- the town he had built from nothing, along with its airport, and which now served as the provincial capital -- Phandulwazi Agricultural High School, Masibulele College of Education in Whittlesea, and other institutions in Mdantsane.

Tabata said the Ciskei cabinet had opposed building an agricultural college, but Sebe convinced them that other African states like Zambia and Lesotho were struggling to get mealies, and he did not want the Ciskei to suffer the same fate.

A donation from Anglo-American of more than R1million was used to build the college.

Tabata said the Sebe era, which ended with his military overthrow by Brigadier Oupa Gqozo in March, 1990, had provided more job opportunities than was the case today, even for graduates.

"It was education for jobs, not for fun," he said.

Sebe's former education minister, Chief DM Jongilanga, said Sebe was an excellent fundraiser who made sure that students from poor families received bursaries for their studies.

Jongilanga said Sebe did not practise nepotism when awarding bursaries and made sure deserving students from all corners of the Ciskei received bursaries.

Sebe, Jongilanga said, believed in honesty and trustworthiness. "You could not have money alleged to be stolen from said protected government offices, or money stolen from pension officials escorted by armed police at pay points."

"Ngweyesizwe's (Sebe's) civil servants were honest and dedicated to their work and the army was well trained and disciplined," the chief said.

Prince Zolile Burns-Ncamashe, speaking on behalf of the AmaRharhabe king, Maxhobayakhawuleza Sandile -- who was given offices in Bisho -- said the king owed Sebe "a big thank you". The king is what he is today because of Sebe, he said.

Burns-Ncamashe said the king was on a campaign to revamp the dilapidated NtabakaNdoda "national shrine" in the Amatola mountains, where the grave of Chief Maqoma lies.

"It needs to be used for reviving Xhosa culture and traditions , especially of the AmaRharhabe, who are on the verge of dying as they have already been overshadowed by Western culture."

Reverend Siphiwo Makuzeni of Brownlee church said he had been recruited by Sebe to preside over the Bisho church. In his 30 years of priesthood, Makuzeni said, Sebe had been the person closest to his heart. Sebe's work to liberate Ciskeians could be witnessed by all.

He lashed out at Brigadier Oupa Gqozo and alleged that he had caused chaos in Ciskei by destroying all the things that Sebe had sweated for -- including office furniture and Sebe portraits.

Sebe's elder son Kwane Sebe said his father was a generous father, not only for the Sebes but for all the Ciskeians. He was a true Christian who had believed in the three pillars of life -- job, home and character.

During a brief interview, Kwane Sebe said his father had not been anti-liberation movement.

Sebe declined to disclose the cost of the "quite expensive" three-metre high tombstone, saying it was in memory of him as a father.

It was also a memorial of Sebe's works for those who believed that his father was a leader who cared about his people.

Sebe's elderly and sick wife, Nontsapho, also attended the event -- as did his youngest son Namba Sebe, King Sandile, traditional chiefs, and ANC, PAC and UDM representatives.