EULOGY DELIVERED BY THE PREMIER OF GAUTENG PANYAZA LESUFI
BY : CHANON LECODEY MERRICKS ONLINE EDITOR KASiBC_AFRiCA
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EULOGY DELIVERED BY THE PREMIER OF GAUTENG PANYAZA LESUFI AT THE FUNERAL SERVICE OF COMMANDER AND COMMISSAR PATRICK KHULU TWALA, CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST, VOSLOORUS 09 May 2026
Programme Director; The Twala Family; ANC Gauteng Co-Convener, Comrade Amos Masondo and The African National Congress; The uMkhonto we Sizwe Liberation War Veterans; Bishop Mncedisi Catsha; SAPS Chaplain, Reverend Nomathemba Mira; South African Police Services; Residents of Thembisa and Vosloorus; Comrades and Friends; Distinguished Guests; Ladies and Gentlemen; Fellow Mourners:
Today, we pay tribute to a man whose life was defined by courage, discipline, and unwavering commitment to the liberation of our country.
Today, we all gather here to bid farewell to an outstanding son of our country. We are hooked together by grief and pain. A revolutionary, freedom fighter and cadre of our movement has left us but left behind permanent landmarks. Yes, his voice may have been silenced by the hand of time. But it will continue to echo down the ages.
It will never fade. It will echo in the freedom we enjoy. It will echo in the democratic culture which defines our national politics. In everything Pat Twala did, he did for our people. He was people centred and people drive. This cadre was disciplined. Bra Pat was disciplined. Bra Pat was committed. Bra Pat was reliable.
He was a soldier and a servant of the people. Bra Pat was not just among the humblest cadres, but an individual who made a telling impact in our freedom struggle. We salute him! We honour him! We cherish his memory. And we will always do so. Bra Pat was not just a participant in history but a committed maker of history.
His life was spent making history. This is the history of defeating the apartheid and building a new, democratic and just society. From the streets of Tembisa in 1976 he stood where it mattered most, as part of the June 16 uprising. He was on the right side of history. He was there as a student confronting the might of the apartheid state. He was there at the frontline. He led by example. = His profile rose within the Moya Youth Movement, which operated in the shadow of the Curo Youth Club at Moya Catholic Church in Esangweni Section, Thembisa. In the Moya Youth Movement, a Roman Catholic youth body, he didn’t just follow the tide of anti-apartheid history, but he created it.
Most of the cadres from Tembisa can attest to his influence. These comrades included names such as Makubata Mokakabye, Sam Semetsi, Bheki (Mthofi) Khumalo, Msuthu Matshani, Octy Magunda, Floyd Malinga, Chilly Magagula, Kennedy Nkwane. The list is endless. These are comrades who went on to important anti-apartheid structures, such as Tembisa Youth Congress. His leadership and guidance contributed to deep cadreship development.
Working with Cde Figo Madlala and Brian Mazibuko, former June 16 leaders and former Robben Islanders, he guided the youth movement that influenced political activity across the East Rand, Soweto, and the Vaal, linking with Tshwane. Bra Pat was at the forefront, where it mattered most, all the time.
He was a ball of energy, throwing everything into the anti-apartheid struggle. He organised. He mobilised. He inspired. He guided. He mentored. He led from the front! Nothing about his community, its development and its freedom was ever alien to him. He was even active in trade union activities, the civic movement, and the football association in Tembisa. Bra Pat could see the big picture. He understood the struggle in a wholistic manner. Through all these glorious efforts, he ultimately contributed to the shaping of a generation. His can point to scores of key figures who have come from bra Pat’s warm hands.
Many of us today can attest to his guidance and leadership. Activists, organisers, public servants, many of us, were once young people under his guidance. He taught us discipline. He instilled courage in us. He taught what it means to belong to a movement bigger than yourself. Personally, I lost a mentor, A teacher, mind shaper Path finder Disciplinarian My first formal employer at the Khayalami Metro were you served as Executive Chairman. It was Room 14 at Tembi Mall, Tembisa. We hatched plans to strengthen our movement. It’s here that our movement was entrenched within our people.
When political violence emerged, we pushed back. When elections came, we became victorious. When municipalities were established, we developed concepts like Masakhane Before us, lies the body of a selfless revolutionary. Proud that your last home is wrapped in the colours of our country a country you fought for and defended. We are proud that the President of our country and your family agreed that we honour you. Others may say it’s too late by us who worked and struggled with you can openly declare it’s never late but we’ll deserving.
Go well Cde Pat Twala Go well master tactician Go well our leader and soldier of the People’s Army Let’s release you Let’s accept that you left us Let’s appreciate the moment and times we spent with you Join Japhta Mngomezulu, Lawrance Mahlangu, Sam Semetsi , Mom Ellen Thumbu Mahlangu and many of cadres that ran this race with us. To your family, please be consoled Hopefully our presence in all our numbers, will strengthen you
The honour and the validation will also strengthen you Hamba Kahle Cde Pat Twala Hamba Kahle Qhawe la ma Qhawe Today we say: Thwal’ Mahlobo! Mpangazitha! Mashiya amahle! Zikhali zempi! Bra Pat, you have completed your mission Rest now, commander. Your voice may be silent; but your struggle speaks through us.
Rest well my leader, until we meet again. Amandla!
EULOGY DELIVERED BY THE PREMIER OF GAUTENG PANYAZA LESUFI
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