Event Schedule

Reverend Stofile’s funeral will be remembered, amongst other beautiful activities lined up for the special day’s programme, by one distinctly brave speech delivered by Mr Sipho Pityana; a kind of audacious speech which is a perfect example of a particular quality of honesty that is lacking among the South African citizenry, particularly the intelligentsia who have power to shape the future of our country and that of our continent.

No wonder documentaries like God Grew Tired of Us are still to be written about the African continent.  It is not surprising that Africa is still struggling the way it is; ungrateful, corrupt and greedy African leaders who cling to power, contrary to what is enshrined in their constitutions, do not appreciate criticism, even if it is in the interests of the countries they “serve”. It is this kind of selfish behaviour that makes it difficult to alleviate backwardness, poverty and hunger in Africa, where there is no peace, where women are stripped of their dignity through humiliation and rape, and where innocent children, some who spend days on empty stomachs, are abused.

“Zemk’inkomo magwalandini,” precisely in this context, is a call to fight the contagious corruption that has spread like cancer in South Africa. Warning of a heritage and identity to be lost, when Mr Sipho Pityana articulated it in Xhosa, he undoubtedly knew where the honourable Reverend’s position had always been throughout his life. Reverend Stofile was a true servant who promoted God’s truth, and the tone used in his funeral was a testimony to just that. In a truly democratic country, freedom of speech and truth should set everyone free.

It seems ironical that our African brothers and sisters risk their lives and end up drowning in the treacherous seas, yet in search of a better life; leave their beautiful continent and head for Europe and other alternative “attractive” destinations, and sometimes have some hosting countries turn their backs on them. 

Why would people leave behind all that matters to them; some, their families, their original birthplace, their treasured childhood memories, to be exploited by brutal smugglers who enable or sadly fail them to cross the dangerous seas? The list goes on and on. "There goes your heritage, you cowards!"

I have often heard our leaders say, “…siyaqhuba…” meaning, “…we move South Africa forward…” Look what God has done recently! It would have been more appropriate and wiser to have put God first so He would guide the move going forward.  Any misused gift God provides, only He takes back the precious inheritance and allocates it to one who has prudence to value it.

It takes intrepidity to acknowledge the various roles each one of us as individuals ought to play as having been created by God for a purpose.

A member of the clergy himself, Reverend Stofile never forgot the birthplace of the organization he sincerely served; he practiced all the morally right a good church symbolizes; he was faithful, fearless yet humble and disciplined. Reverend Stofile’s soul will rest in peace, more so if his legacy is honoured, not through lip service but through noble deeds.

Phumla ngoxolo Mthanjiswa WeNkosi!

(production coverage facilitated by SABC TVOB...... below is video to watch)

By: Babalwa Tyekela