Story by: Karabo Ntanzi
Picture: Sourced
Kimberley Boys High School Hall was filled with members of the African National Congress (ANC) and other mourners to bid farewell to Cde Gladys Keitumetsi Bushy Sekonyane, who was charged with public violence and detained in Kroonstad Prison under challenging conditions. She continued fighting for freedom in jail, where black inmates were forced to wear a “doek” while white inmates didn’t need one.
A revolutionary who, during the 1980s, sacrificed her youth and contributed towards making South Africa ungovernable, paving a way for the current democratic country enjoyed by all, a confirmation that, “Freedom was not free.”
Bushy, as she was affectionately known, was a wife to Thapelo “Prof” Sekonyane, who served time at Robben Island for political reasons.
The couple married in 1995 and shared much in common, including spiritual calling (ubungoma).
According to her aunt, Vicky Makoloi, Bushy was intelligent, energetic, adorable, curious, and always questioned everything.
“She was the last born out of three children and a mother to members of the extended family and she adored her late mother-in-law,” said Aunt Vicky.
She said the family was worried when they discovered that Bushy was involved in political activities at a young age. “We used to call them bo Siyayinyova. When Warrenton’s office was burned, she was the first suspect on the list. Bushy refused to plead guilty in exchange for a lesser sentence; hence she was sentenced to eight years in Kroonstad”, lamented her aunt.
A spokesperson for the Sekonyane family, Kagisho Sekonyane, praised their daughter-in-law for being obedient, soft and independent, a go-getter, a meticulous worker and not greedy. He thanked the Makoloi family for raising a well-mannered child who took care of her in-laws. Sekonyane further told mourners how they teased the couple by comparing them to the old black and white television because Prof is dark and his wife is light in complexion.
An emotional Tshepo Sekonyane, son and Kitso Tshipa, nephew, paid a moving tribute to their “mother”. Kitso said, “I am not your son, but I have never felt the difference between myself and your children; you loved us and reprimanded us all equally.” Tshepo will miss his mom’s long video calls.
Thulani Binase, a comrade, reminisced about their more than 20years friendship. He revealed the free political lessons they received from Bushy and how she used to borrow them Prof’s books unofficially. He said, “It is not blood that makes us related. She was a mother, sister, friend and confidant to me”. Binase described her in three words, ‘not egoists, driven by the communal love and bravery’, not forgetting her swear words.
Gogo Masechabana, Bushy’s spiritual mother, alluded, “When your child dies, life will never be the same again. A spiritual child is the same as your biological child”. Gogo shared their spiritual journey, including the deceased’s strengths and straight-talking nature.
Fellow political detainees Cdes Tshidi Mocumi and Connie Seoposengwe shared their experience and the harsh conditions they lived under while in prison, being tortured, endless solitary confinement punishment and seeing fellow comrades dying in the gallos.
They mentioned how society judged them and their families because they were perceived as “loose girls” because they were constantly on the run, not sleeping in one place.
“Gender was not an issue to us as we were all activists’’ said Seoposengwe. She recalled how they formed structures, including the Galeshewe Youth Organisation (GAYO) and Galeshewe Student Organisation (GASO) with less than 20 members.
Seoposengwe highlighted various campaigns which they organised with the deceased before being incarcerated.
A colleague from Kgalagadi Mine and fellow detainee, Cde Daphney Masuile-Nkosi, referred to Bushy as a “Tried and tested Cde and an exceptional human being.”
“We were not allowed to disclose where anyone was even if the person was in jail. No one spoke about what they were subjected to, including solitary confinement”. She commented Bushy for being shaped by women of stature. “We were mentored by ANC stalwarts such as Ma Sisulu and Ma de Bryun, who used to tell us that Women’s League is not a stokvel,” she said.
“I feel honoured and privileged because I was there when Bushy took her last breath,” proclaimed Masuile-Nkosi.
Kenny Mooimang, NCOP and ANC PEC member said, “thanks to Cde Bushy’s efforts for the life that we are living today. Many South Africans are still languishing in poverty. Our time in this world is merely borrowed, but what matters is how Cde Bushy made her time on earth count and gave us the new generation Freedom”.
Bushy started schooling in Warrenton and proceeded to Tlhomelang High School in Kimberley. Unfortunately, she could not finish her schooling due to her political activism. She continued improving herself by studying short courses.
Under the democratic government, she struggled for economic freedom and co-founded Emang Basadi Pty Ltd. At the time of the passing, her company Makoloi (Pty) Ltd was a part of a women’s consortium which cleaned conveyor belts at Kgalagadi Manganese Mine in Hotazel.
She was the first Provincial Secretary for the Ex-Political Prisoners Association (EPPA), launched by former President Nelson Mandela in 1995. She travelled the Northern Cape to compile a database of all the political detainees.
Bushy was born on 9 September 1965, died on 19 April and was buried on 29 April 2023. She is survived by her husband, three children and seven grandchildren.
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