For many, the late Sediane Danny Montsitsi was one of the 1976 Soweto Student Uprising heroes who dared to take on the armed apartheid forces as a young leader. But to his children, he was a loving family man.
“Bra Dan,” as he was affectionately known by his comrades, featured alongside Tsietsi Mashinini and Khotso Seatlholo, as the key leaders of the June 16, 1976 uprising against Afrikaans being used as a medium of instruction in schools.
The former Robben Island political prisoner passed away last week after a short illness. On Wednesday, 18 August 2021, he was honoured with the City of Joburg’s civic funeral, and laid to rest at Avalon cemetery.
Senkhane Montsitsi, the late icon’s son, shared fond memories of his father with the mourners at the Regina Mundi Catholic Church, in Soweto. The funeral was a close affair, and was attended by only family members, relatives, close friends, colleagues, senior government officials and comrades due to the Covid-19 protocol regulations.
“My father was someone who loved his family very much. He loved all his children. All of his cousins, nieces, he considered them to be his children. There’s nothing my father liked to do more than to entertain us, to take us out and spoil us. He always had a surprising sense of humour,” said Senkhane.
Speaker after speaker, described Montsitsi as a powerful yet soft-spoken leader.
“Even when he was upset with us and reprimanded us, he would never raise his voice at us. But he would always talk to us with a calm voice and his words were spoken with such conviction, and they resonated so deeply that you couldn’t forget them,” added Senkhane.
Montsitsi’s wife, Phila Masiza, in an emotional, written tribute to her late husband, said: “my heart adores you and I will always love you…I already miss you so much. I didn’t expect you to be gone so quickly. I can’t imagine my life without you, but I know God will give me the strength to take care of our children.”
The City’s Executive Mayor, Cllr Jolidee Matongo, described Montsitsi as a selfless human-being who paid the price for freedom.
“He was willing to pay the price, and indeed he did – enduring brutal treatment on Robben Island. After his release, he furthermore endured police harassment until South Africa achieved what he, and many others, had toiled so hard for – a free and democratic South Africa,” said Mayor Matongo.
The Speaker of Council, Cllr Nonceba Molwele, said Montsitsi was a torchbearer of change in society.
“A man with a vision, who was fearless, dedicated and compassionate. He was an active member in the community as well as in the world of governing our country as a Member of Parliament amongst other roles,” said Molwele.
According to the ANC’s Treasurer General, Paul Mashatile, Montsitsi was a firm leader, who had a passion for education and lived a life that was exemplary to all.
“He lifted many as he was rising. His was an exemplary life worthy of emulation. We will miss Bra Dan’s likeable and calm demeanor. We will miss his sharp mind, his humility, his passion for education, especially the education of the African child. When we as leaders veered off course in terms of our commitment to serving the people diligently and selflessly, Bra Dan would gently but firmly call us to order,” said Mashatile.
Montsitsi is survived by his wife, his four children, two sisters and young brother.
19/08/2021