OBITUARY OF THE LATE `BRA SHAKES’ TSHABALALA

Edited by Mothibi Mthethwa

Pall bearers including Ruby Mathang. Photos: Abel Kutoane

I, MADLANGA Ephraim Tshabalala, popularly known as `Bra Shakes’ in social circles, was born the last of the late Mandla Enoch (iJuda Elimnyama laseVrede) and Qoshiwe Elizabeth Tshabalala’s four children on 5 June 1932 in the former Orange Free State’s Vrede-Magubatshoene Farm, with my late brothers Richard and Meshack and my sister Zarich Tshabalala, and went to Bantu Community School koVrede for my primary education.

In 1948, I moved to the Golden City of Johannesburg, where I continued my education at Soweto’s oldest high school, Orlando High School, in Orlando East. Having completed my Junior Certificate (JC), I proceeded to Kilnerton Training Institute, outside, Pretoria, now called Tshwane, where I trained as a teacher.

It was the in same Golden City that I later met my beautiful wife, Maggie Elizabeth (nee Dolamo), a trained nurse. Our marital union was blessed with two beautiful daughters, Nobayeni and Zakhali Tshabalala.

Soccer formed an integral part of my life as a youth, a sport in which I was extremely active as a player for teams such as Pimville Champions Football Club and Soccer Veterans, while serving in several soccer fraternities.

Funeral service held at YMCA.

I was, briefly, Secretary at Orlando Pirates Football Club, Chairperson of the South African Football Legends and Veterans, as well as a member of the Orlando West Gold Club and General Manager of the National Professional Soccer League (NPSL), under Beth `Mr No’ Morolo, predecessor of George Thabe and Abdul Bhamjee.

Following my qualification as a teacher, I studied further as a Social Worker at the South African School of Black Social Workers. It is worth mentioning that I attended the school of Social Workers with the likes of the late Mama Nomzamo Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, the first Black woman social worker in South Africa.

As a qualified Social Worker, I served under several Social Welfare Organisations, until I pursued a Master’s Degree in Social Work, and, in light of my desire to impact real change and help others achieve personal growth, I then explored the private sector and secured employment with several companies as a Human Resources (HR) Manager.

During the 1980s, I joined the Black Management Forum (BMF) under the backing of the late Dr. Don Mkhwanazi, before becoming an active member of the YMCA, so as to best serve my passion and desire for personal development. The YMCA soon became my second home, which marked the beginning of my journey as a transformational leader.

As a transformation leader, I held many Board and NEC positions, such as General Secretary of the Soweto YMCA, President, Chairperson, Finance Committee and Ethics Committee.

During that period, until the 1990s, I became the Township YMCA Representative, and the only Black representative at multiple National Executive Committees, which allowed me to give a voice to the voiceless. While serving under the National Council and was honoured several times for my profound work in national engagements.

In 2009, I was honoured with the highest Award in the YMCA, the Red Triangle. My loyalty, commitment to action, my passion to do the right thing, and my diligence- caused fear in the heart of those whose motives were suspect.

As a YMCA Township Representative, I played a significant role in the NEC from the period of 1988 to the late 1990s. As a member of the National Executive Committee I was the only one there, to give voice to the voiceless. I served in the YMCA National Council and I was honoured several times for my outstanding National Engagements on behalf of the YMCA.

Councillor Sechaba Khumalo and former Television Presenter Caesar Molebatsi graced the event.

Allow me to share this one little story of events that almost landed me behind bars: A colleague and I `acquired’ a document from the National Office, which highlighted and showcased the real purpose of the organisation that was aimed to change not only the image of South African YMCA, but also transform it into an Anti-Apartheid Machinery.

This was further used by God for the eradication of this `crime against humanity’. My role in the YMCA could take days, weeks, months and years to capture, but it is the story of my life. I am survived by my two daughters: Nobayeni and Zakhali, as well as my adorable grandson Bukola.

Finally let me also recognise Nompi, Mathe, Madlangempisi, Nomanzi, Slydo, Thoba and Mpaka, children of my late brothers, as well as my grandchildren.

Lala ngoXolo Mshengu Donga laMavuso!