Ishmael Mkhabela
A friend, comrade and one of the fearless and selfless fighters for freedom and a better life for South Africa has passed on. Tieho Roller Masinga, of Rockville, leaves a deep sense of loss to his family and the country.
Not a person to abscond from liberation duty, Roller responded by rising to the daunting challenges that faced South Africa in the 1970s and beyond. He became an active member and leader of the youth and student movements, contributing to the emergence of the SA Student Movement, the Soweto Student Representative Council, the National Youth Organisation and the Congress of South African Students, among others.
He did much of his work behind the scenes. Roller acknowledged the varied contributions of all black liberation organisations outside the ANC, his political home.
He was one of the forerunners who were instrumental in swelling the ranks of the ANC on the eve of the Soweto student uprising against racial education.
He helped raise the awareness of many about conditions in the country and helped direct them to forge links with the liberation organisations that were active outside the borders of South Africa.
In exile Roller grew in stature, mentoring many of our current cadre of government leaders. He did all of these in his unassuming and humble manner.
In his gallant fight against the system of racial and national oppression, as well as economic exploitation of our people, he paid a painful price. On numerous occasions he was arrested and tried or incarcerated without trial. His life was always in danger.
In the ranks of the ANC he was one of those who raised difficult matters for discussion and action. This cost him dearly. Roller nevertheless shunned fighting for positions and privileges, despite his ability and qualifications. He continued to work with everybody and was reachable by those who sought his counsel.
Roller never succumbed to dogmatic positions. He was very clear in his mind about the enemy who needed to be fought. We could say boldly that Roller loved our people to the end of his life.
May he rest in peace for the shared life that made a significant difference in our time and our nation.
Ishmael Mkhabela is chairman of the Steve Biko Foundation.