Written by Kau Khumalo – Yesterday I joined the Mareletse and Kgetsi families to pay my last respects to my father, my mentor , my teacher, my political tutor and social activist Chippa Sediti Mareletse….
As expected his former colleagues, students and choral music lovers attended in large numbers and we ensured that we did what Chippa loved and did best…
We sang our hearts and lungs out from the beginning of the service until the last sand was placed on his burial ground…the rain was pouring but we were not deterred, his protégé Nthabiseng Mareletse and Mme Mongo Ranchu( her maiden surname), both my former classmates from Sub A to matric,led us in song and dance and I have no doubt in my mind that Chippa was proud and smiling in heaven.
Our political veteran and my mentor Cde Thabo Mosoeu rendered an eulogy on Chippas political journey and activism in the Civic Movement, his long time friend and colleague Oujoe Mafuma paid a moving tribute on how Chippas musical and teaching talents sometimes made him a target of victimization by his superiors😭😭😭😭( I couldn’t hold my tears because I know the persecution he went through for years at his workplace), his neighbor Mme Mamatshoane was outstanding in her articulation of the life they lived with Chippas family as neighbors…..
Ousi Matshediso Mosai took us down memory lane on their experiences whilst they were his students.
ANC NEC Member Cde Sibongile Besani, a former student and colleague of Chippa shared with us the journey Chippa undertook as a soccer player, a student, a teacher,a choir master and political activist and finally Mme MaLenka brought me completely to tears as she presided over the religious part of the ceremony, she’s a genius who God bestowed amazing talent on and she managed to provide spiritual guidance to the bereaved family,friends, colleagues and mourners.
Hamba Kahle Febana 😭😭😭💔💔💔
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