On 17 January 2020, the Northern Cape Province bid farewell to a son of the revolution at Mittah Sepherepere Convention Centre, Kimberley. It was fitting to honour Gomolemo Archie Lucas with a Provincial Funeral, an honour bestowed to those who served the community. Archie was born on 6 May 1974.
Mourners from government, including Ministers, Members of Parliament, former and current Northern Cape Premiers, members of the ANC alliance and opposition parties attended the funeral. They shared fond memories of the deceased.
Archie started schooling at Madipelesa Primary School and proceeded to Tlhomelang High School in Kimberley. He obtained an N3 Certificate in Electrical Engineering from Moremogolo Technical College, where his political voice begun. He was a member of the SRC who blossomed to leadership positions and expanded to COSAS and SASCO.
His thirst for education compelled him to study public management from the University of the Free State part-time.
The deceased graduated within the ANC ranks, serving in positions ranging from the Youth League, Northern Cape Provincial Executive Committee, Deputy Provincial Chairperson, Northern Cape MEC for Education, member of the National Executive Committee and National Council of Provinces.
He was described as an intellectual, loyal, humble, forever smiling, praised for loving his family and friends, an avid reader and a die-hard Kaizer Chiefs supporter, who went through spells of being employed and unemployed as a result, he ventured into several businesses.
Family representative, Paul Mokwena, a former Principal, said he lost a younger brother, friend, and family leader. He affirmed Archie’s leadership qualities by recounting an incident when the deceased led a group of students to his school protesting for the “no school fee” campaign. When confronted about his action, Archie responded, “It was for the community.”
His children said their father was strict, loving and sacrificed a lot for his children. “He could not sing, dance, or play soccer but would take time off his busy schedules and be the only parent wearing a suit at the ground to watch me play, “mentioned a proud Thato.
The vibrant daughter, Katlego, celebrated her fathers’ life by toyi-toying with comrades, singing and dancing to choruses. She remembered her fathers’ chilling words, “Chief, you will cry the loudest the day I die,” he used to call her “Chief”. She referred to the deceased as her best friend, blesser, business partner and pillar of strength. She bemoaned the fact that her father will not walk her down the aisle and see his grandchildren.
A business partner, Cerenio Mogorosi said it felt strange because he was alive and well when he saw him the previous week. He fondly remembered Archie’s dry sense of humour. He recounted how they regularly pitched to investors and mentioned the deceased peculiar habit of judging their clients by the client’s shoes. He defined his friend as very spiritual, “I am privilege to be his friend, we were inseparable especially the past two years, he taught me courage or guts,” said Mogorosi.
The deceased former colleague, William Steenkamp, applauded Archie’s parents for giving birth to a servant of the people who did not brag about his achievements but a proud father to his children. “Although ostracised and sidelined, he never lost trust in the ANC. You develop character in the struggle,” remarked Steenkamp. He told the children to read a poem, “Hier gaan a man verby.”
An elderly from the community Carter London, who knew the deceased since 1992, said, “We are not here to judge, but there are many Archie’s out there.” He continued by saying that Archie died a broken man because of the movement. He said he witnessed the deceased’s humanity when he fostered four children while struggling to make ends meet.
The eulogy was read by the Northern Cape Premier, Dr Zamani Saul.
Archie Gomolemo Lucas is survived by his mom, two children, a sister, three brothers, relatives and the community.
The sermon was conducted by Pastor President Abraham Setsiba from the Seventh Day Adventist Church.
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