Former Samora Machel councillor Monwabisi “Sporo” Mbaliswana embodied humanity and was a caring father figure with a passion for human rights.
These were some of the sentiments shared by speakers at a memorial service for the Ward 33 councillor, held at Samora Machel Stadium in Philippi last Friday.
Sporo, as he was affectionately known, died in Groote Schuur Hospital on Friday October 16, after he was shot in Mitchell’s Plain on Tuesday October 13, by unknown assailants.
The motive behind the killing is still unknown.
At the emotive memorial service, his family urged mourners to continue Mr Mbaliswana’s work to develop poor areas and address unemployment.
Phumzile Mbaliswana said his brother had left them with three challenges that as the family they would love to see his friends and leaders of the different areas fulfil – to develop poor areas, address unemployment and fight crime in Cape Town.
“In the family meetings he was always smiling but very shrewd and a straight talker,” he said of his brother.
“He was a unifier. His family came first for him. Sporo, as we called him, was at first very lazy but developed into a brave and passionate human rights activist which he learnt at the varsity,” he said.
He said his family lost a warm and caring human being with a passion for life.
“For us to be happy, all of you that are here today, we urge you to fulfil his dreams that I have mentioned. If you address the above, we will be happy,” he said.
The late Mr Mbaliswana was an ANC ward councillor in Samora Machel from 2006 to 2011.
After he did not make it in the next elections, he left the ANC and joined the Congress of the People before going back to the ANC. But he again later left the party and stood as an independent candidate.
He later joined the Democratic Alliance with throngs of his followers who were from the Ses’khona People’s Movement until his passing.
At the time of his death, the father of five was a board member of the Ikapa Black Business Chamber and founder and chairman of Amazondi Holdings as well as Philippi Development Forum.
His business and political friends have vowed to leave no stone unturned to bring his killers to book.
His friend Loyiso Nkohla praised his bravery in fighting for the poor. “He never left the ANC for a position but for not fulfilling the promise to uplift our communities.
“Sporo was very brave (and) stood for service delivery,” he said.
His family said he would be buried in his village of Tentergate near Tarkastad in the Eastern Cape on Saturday October 31.
Hamba kakuhle Myirha Mzondi, Sampu, Thambo lenyoka lihlaba elimzondayo.