Tribute to ‘Mmasetjhaba’ (1937-2009)

‘Some men see things as they are and say ‘why?’. I dream things that never were and say ‘why not’?’ – Robert Kennedy on George Bernard Shaw

AS South Africans and Africans beyond celebrate the past life of an outstanding leader who lived life to the fullest, I take this opportunity to pay personal tribute to a larger-than-life gallant fighter who, in her own way, exerted a profound influence on my world view and way of life.
The Grand Dame of the Information Communications Technology (ICT) sector is no more.
There are iconic people who, once they enter your life on a personal level, imbue you with a fervent inspiration to do good for good’s own sake. Dr Ivy Matsepe-Casaburri, South Africa’s former Minister of Communications, who passed away a week ago at the age of 71, was one such person. She was laid to rest on Monday in Kroonstad in the Free State, her place of birth.
Few people have been gifted with the attributes of this woman of great character, personality and talent, whose lofty idealism and thought were sufficient to keep her own destiny from frustration, no matter what she did.
We first met in 1993 at the headquarters of the South African Broadcasting Corporation in Johannesburg where she was the first post-apartheid Chairperson.
Six months later we traveled together to a summit in Vancouver, Canada, where the Namibian Broadcasting Corporation was admitted as a member of the Commonwealth Broadcasting Association.

DISARMING
Mme Ivy was greatly instrumental in motivating Namibia’s case for immediate admittance following our country’s recent Independence. This made my and Nahum Gorelick’s task an easy one. South Africa was then only one year away from following the same route.
Mme Ivy, with her infectious smile and disarming qualities, never failed to provide light moments. At the summit, Harold Redekopp, my counterpart at the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation as Head of Radio Services, attempted to introduce me to her. My cherubic, tall and well-built friend was stopped right in his tracks by my adopted mother with the words: ‘Hey this is my own son Mbako, are you trying to get me to introduce you to him properly or what?,’ causing all round laughter in the corridor.
What began as a professional encounter turned out to be a life-long association based on my adoption of her as a mentor in many aspects of life.
She never ceased to inspire and brighten my outlook on life. Initially she struck me as an approachable person with a fine intellectual face and wistful penetrating eyes. She always went about energetically and gave me the impression of a woman of taste and refinement.
Affectionately known as ‘Mmasetjhaba’, she was an accomplished educator, communications expert and struggle heroine.
The continent has lost a truly remarkable ‘why not’ woman.
Those of us who followed Mmasetjhaba’s career as admirers came to know her as a woman who combined humility, warmth, impatience of humbug and terrier-like determination. But the main theme, and the aspect which made her so frightening to novice politicians, was her selflessness. She was a doughty old soldier, who was incapable of disguising her bottomless contempt for the lazy and corrupt.
She was, however, not without controversy and mixed fortunes.
She possessed magnetism and an imagination so free and daring that she was able to carry through what other politicians and activists would not attempt. It is therefore not surprising that the Hon Beatrice Marshoff (who later followed in Mme Ivy’s footsteps as Premier of the Free State Province) described her as ‘her own person’. ‘A trait which many people, more often than not, interpreted as being ‘very difficult’. She displayed characteristics of a teacher in everything she did and was an outstanding achiever in her own right who belonged to the upper reaches of the intellectual community,’ Marshoff stated recently.
Namibians who benefited from her wisdom at the then United Nations Institute for Namibia (UNIN) in Zambia, where she lectured during the 80s, testify that she did her work with grace and will forever be remembered for serving with distinction and honour. A true Africanist!
Intellectually, Mme Ivy was a giant. Morally and spiritually she was courageous. She appreciated her own good fortune and was determined that she would share her strength with all those who had need for it, and donated to the masses her greatest asset – herself, body and soul. By so doing, in a world where true mentors are rare and sharing of fortunes seems difficult, Mme Ivy reaffirmed that each man is truly his brother’s keeper based on reverence for life.
In a tortured and greedy world she taught mankind how to give.
Africa’s greatest tribute to her would be merely to understand her message and to follow her example.
Mme Ivy is survived by her sister and two brothers, to whom I convey my heartfelt condolences.
* Hilifa Mbako was Head of Radio Services at NBC during Dr Matsepe-Casaburri’s tenure of office as Chairperson of SABC between 1993 and 1996. He is writing in his personal capacity.