The funeral service of Reverend Obakeng Poloko Jackals affectionately known as Bassie, resembled a religious gathering or a music concert.
Mittah Sepherephere Convention Center was filled to capacity with mourners from across the globe and various denominations within the country. There was a strong ANC presence in yellow, green, black colours, and the beautiful melodic voices from the Jackals’ daughters.
Church leaders could be spotted in their religious cloaks and collars. A confirmation that mourners were bidding farewell to a man of God, a political activist and a music maestro who founded the Ingoma Chorus in Cape Town and Northern Cape Choristers in Kimberley.
Bassie was born on 25 December 1977 in Kimberley, the firstborn son to Olga Marupi Ramodibe (nee Jackals), out of three siblings. He started schooling at Kim Kgolo Primary School, proceeded to Olehile Mancwe Middle School in Pampierstad and matriculated from Dr EP Lekhela High School in Kimberley. Thereafter he joined the ministry.
He married Puleng Christina Jackals (Nee Mosiea). They were blessed with four children, Nomsa, Kesaobaka, Poloko jnr and Thuto.
Bassie was an academic who obtained a National Diploma in Theology from RR Wright Theological Seminar and another Diploma in Opera from the University of Cape Town. He will be graduating posthumous in May 2020 for a Masters of Divinity Degree from Payne Theological Seminary, Wilberforce, Ohio.
He served the African Methodist Episcopal Church for over two decades in different circuits.
Speaker used attributes such as humble, photogenic and social butterfly who loved dressing up to describe him. Praised for his love for finer things in life and his famous phrase on Facebook “Masiphangeleni”, meaning ‘let’s go to work’.
The Doctor, who was the last person Bassi spoke to said, “He died a happy man.”
A neighbour from Warrenton, Mr Mokola, said although their relations did not span over a long time, he only has fond memories about the Jackals family.
Makola said he didn’t need a clock to know when he was late for church or work. If Bassie’s car was still parked in his driveway on a Sunday, he knew he was still on time for church. If Mrs Jackal’s car was still parked on a Monday, he knew he was late for work.
Childhood friend from Pampierstad, Mosweu Koboekae testified that Bassie knew what he wanted to be from an early age. He vividly remembers, in 1992, at high school, when a teacher asked their career choices, the deceased proudly proclaimed “Reverend”. It came as no surprise to hear that Bassie joined the ministry after matric. He applauded his friend for being well mannered and meek. Their friendship blossomed to adulthood, whenever Bassie had events at his church, he would invite Koboekae and give him a “sneak preview” of the sermon.
Another friend, Thabo Bidla from Cape Town, said, they use to call each other “Laytie”. Bidla recounted how Bassie was excited about his upcoming graduation. “He would brag and say, “In 2024, I’ll be heading the Theology Department at Sol Plaatje University and on my door will be written: Dr Bishop Obakeng Poloko Jackals,” narrated Bidla.
Speaking for the Sol Plaatje Municipality, Sello Matsie described his and the municipality’s loss. “He was one of a kind,” declared Sello. He remarked that Bassie, as Chaplain, united all employees irrespective of their religion.
A family representative, Wawa Mosiea, Puleng’s twin brother, reminisced about how their relationship grew as they shared a passion for music. He thanked the Mosiea and Jackals family for raising a person of Bassie’s caliber. Mosiea warned mourners and family not to mourn Bassie for a long time because “he was always smiling in all his pictures”.
Rev Neo Lekhobo, a relative, said Bassie who was the first grandchild in the family was adored by his late grandparents. Lekhobo lamented at the pain the family went through when he passed on stating that it was a very long.
A church elder outlined the roles played by Bassie, from assisting with preparing conference material to becoming a member of the Global Development Council. He jokingly mentioned that the deceased could be an instigator and a coward sometimes but a go-getter.
A representative from the South African Choral Music Association (Sacma), recalled words uttered by the deceased at a meeting, “No one can revive a project whose end time has arrived,” he ended his statment by saying, “no one should question what happened on the day Bassie took his last breath.”
His sibling, Rebaone Ramodibe said their brother had a premonition. “For the past two years, he arranged trips to distant relatives. On 31 Decembers 2019 before cross over, he summoned us to pray but started by anointing us, something he has never done before,” said the distraught brother.
The African National Congress (ANC) Chaplain, Desmond Fransman marveled at Bassie’s conflict resolution skills and how he would enjoy a cup of tea with his opponent afterwards.
When delivering the Elogy, Premier of the Northern Cape, Dr Zamani Saul, applauded the AME church for producing leaders who liberated South Africa. “You go to the most remote village or a small community you will find the AME church. As a young man, I wanted to become a Pastor through a sermon that was delivered by an AME Reverend,” said the Premier. They were good friends who always discussed the scripture during their interaction. Saul mentioned a special moment he witnessed during the 108th ANC celebration, when Bassie brought a new bible and asked the President of the country, Cyril Ramaphosa and Desmond Fransman, to sign it and handed it to the former Provincial Chaplain. The Premier MEC Mac Jack mentioned that he enjoyed Bassie’s preaching because he knew the bible.
Reverend Bassie Obakeng Poloko Jackas was buried on 26 January 2020. He is survived by his wife and children.
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