By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Dr Samuel Mokgethi Motsuenyane’s friends and family gathered at the Akasia Community Hall, North of Pretoria on Thursday to bid him farewell.
The father of the black business, as he was affectionately known, died on Monday, 29 April, at age 97.
Speaker after speaker described the founder of the African Bank and the National African Federated Chamber of Commerce (Nafcoc) as someone who was passionate about promoting black businesses.
A legend, visionary, true leader, courageous, caring and loving are some words used to describe the fallen hero.
Amongst the mourners who were present, former statesman Thabo Mbeki, Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi and CAF President Patrice Motsepe and his wife, businesspeople, traditional leaders, politicians, people in the showbiz and many others.
Mbeki, hailed Motsuenyane as an outstanding leader and a black business pioneer.
He said he will be remembered for his unrelenting passion to uplift black businesses.
“Ntate Mogolo’s departure has taken away from all of us a true gentlemen, whose dignity, sacrificing manner, and gentle nature confirmed that in him were the true humanists.
“In him, we had a monument of an unageing monument intellect who continued to serve as our beacon and guide as we attend to his unfinished work of the fundamental transformation of our country.
“How I wish he were still with us to lead us in the new national dialogue we have proposed.”
Mbeki expressed his heartfelt condolences to the Motsuenyane and Mashinini families.
“Robala ka Kagiso Mokwena (Rest in Peace, Mokoena), iconic hero for our people, monument of un-aging intellect, our beloved leader, truly your spirit lives on,” he said.
Lesufi said he was there to bid farewell to a leader, hero, diplomat, legend and visionary.
“On behalf of the people of Gauteng and the South African government, we want to extend our sincere condolences to the family, relatives and friends of Dr Motsuenyane and the business sector and the church. Our pain and our presence here will heal and provide you with comfort, go well ntate,” Lesufi said.
Chairman of Dzana Investments, Dr Ruel Khoza, pronounced Dr Motsuenyane’s courageous bearing against apartheid.
Family representative Sadi Motsuenyane said her uncle taught them a lot and constantly reminded them not to forget where they come from.
Motsuenyane was the co-founder of the pivotal National African Federated Chamber of Commerce (NAFCOC) and played a leading role in the establishment of the African Bank – both at the height of apartheid.
He was an MP who served as South Africa’s first ambassador to the Saudi Arabian Kingdom.
President Cyril Ramaphosa also passed his condolences to the Motsuenyane family, friends, and the business community as a whole.
“The passing of Dr Sam Motsuenyane 60 years after the establishment of NAFCOC is a profound reminder of the breadth, durability, and longevity of his vision and passion for self-reliance and development.
“The remarkable sweep of his life as an entrepreneur, leader of the organised business, parliamentarian, and diplomat among other roles, embodied our resilient national character and values of ubuntu.”
His philosophy of self-sufficiency is today entrenched in the constitutional right each of us enjoys to freely choose our trade, occupation, or profession and in the socio-economic rights that our constitution safeguards,” he said.
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