Dr Motsoko Pheko had a long and distinguished life during which he made significant contributions in different areas of South Africa and the wider continent. His exceptional intelligence and unwavering commitment to justice have made a lasting impact on those who knew him and the many people whose lives he touched while working to better society. Even though he is no longer with us, his lasting legacy of promoting freedom and equality will continue to inspire future generations.
By Mavuso Msimang & Russell Baloyi
The death of Dr Motsoko Pheko on 19 April 2024, at age 93, marks the end of a distinguished life dedicated to the cause of freedom for the people of his beloved Azania. Throughout his remarkably lengthy lifespan, he demonstrated exceptional intellectual prowess by excelling in various fields such as theology, law, academia, historiography, and literature.
Born in Lesotho on 13 November 1930, Dr Pheko joined the Pan-Africanist Congress of Azania in 1960 and served in several capacities as an organiser, branch chairperson, deputy president and, finally, President. Driven to exile, he put his formidable faculties at the service of the African cause.
He lived in several countries, including Eswatini, Zambia, Kenya, Geneva, and the United States of America, where he served as a PAC representative at the United Nations. During his time in Zambia, he dedicated part of his time to pursuing legal studies at the University of Zambia. He went on to achieve a Master of Law degree from the University of London; he majored in Political Science and Theology at UNISA.
Dr Pheko founded and chaired the Daystar University in Kenya, a liberal arts college and founded and chaired the Tokoloho Development, an association that promoted research in indigenous knowledge of the African people before European colonisation.
A prolific writer, he authored numerous books, among them, The Land is Ours: The Political Legacy of Mangaliso Sobukwe; Apartheid, the Story of a Dispossessed People and A white Jesus is False History and Heresy.
His writings reflected a deep commitment to the upliftment of the Africans who for centuries struggled under the yoke of colonial and apartheid oppression. A great admirer of his leader and peer, Robert Mangaliso Sobukwe, he expounded on the ideology of Pan-Africanism, wrote on Christianity and its adoption by Africans, and reflected on the concept of ubuntu-botho.
Ultimately though, Dr Pheko’s passion was politics. After the achievement of democracy on 27th April 1994, was elected Member of Parliament representing the PAC. His departure from the legislature some years ago left a void that was not easy to fill.
Dr Motsoko Pheko leaves behind his wife and lifetime partner, Ntsioua Pheko, daughters Mohau, Mamello and Lebohang Liepolo and grandchildren including Keratuwe Mokhantso and Ntsana Thato among many other loving grandchildren including his brothers’ children he raised as his own, the Moerane family who raised him and his brother and his in-laws the Pakkies who all loved him dearly.
It is fitting and proper as well as gratifying that President Cyril Ramaphosa approved the request by the Premier of Gauteng, Panyaza Lesufi that the funeral of Dr. Motsoko Pheko be declared as a Special Provincial Official Funeral Category Two.
The contributions and sacrifices made by Dr Pheko for his nation deserve the utmost recognition and respect just as his legacy shines brightly, transcending any petty party politics. It is only fitting that our government bestows upon him a Special Official Funeral Category to honour his legacy and immortalise his contributions to the 30 years of freedom.
It’s a fitting tribute to an outstanding Africanist who deserves no less.