This was a man with an outstanding track record as a political leader and activist, yet you never heard him bring it up.
I have many memories and recollections of Thabo Masebe, the communicator par excellence, the consummate professional and the dedicated public servant. One that stands out for me, and is perhaps most instructive of all in these times, is how self-effacing he was.
He was one of the only people I have encountered who were able to finish a meal without regaling you with stories of their glorious past in the trenches of anti-apartheid struggles. During those four years, we met for lunch three days a week when we worked in Cape Town. He never brought up his personal history with his lunch companions, or with anyone for that matter.
There are very few serving public servants who have been honoured with an official funeral of any category. These include the former chief of state protocol ambassador Billy Modise and Ronnie Mamoepa, the former spokesperson to then deputy president Cyril Ramaphosa. He was a family man whose life revolved around his children. Weekend assignments were often stressful for him because he wanted to be with them/He was a wine connoisseur, but without the pretentiousness this is often accompanied by. The oenophile in him was well known. He taught everyone about different grape varieties, and about which regions of the world that produced great wine, with Napa Valley in California among his favourites.
Golf was his favourite sport. He meandered many fairways and greens, screamed at Tiger Woods when he delivered a poor shot. In hindsight, golf was his meditation and his escape from the complexities of politics where everything is over-complicated by supersized egos concealing fragilities, countless rules and ever-expanding public expectations.
South Africa Latest News, South Africa Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Sekhukhune United confirm Da Gama appointment'I am so pleased and so happy,' said Da Gama.
Read more »
Judge says Apple selling iPhone without power adapter is 'abusive'A Brazilian judge ruled that US tech giant Apple engaged in an “abusive and illegal” practice by selling new iPhones without power adapters.
Read more »
Eskom burnt R626 million in diesel in 20 days — enough to fill a million VW PolosEskom diesel worth R626 million to prevent or minimise the impact of load-shedding in the past 20 days.
Read more »
Sustainability at the centre of Samsung innovationsSPONSORED | The company’s products, such as the Galaxy S22 series, are designed to minimise the impact on the environment during their entire life cycle
Read more »
AmaZulu’s Truter wary of in-form Royal AMAmaZulu interim coach Brandon Truter is worried about the threat Royal AM will pose when they meet in the KwaZulu-Natal derby at Chatsworth Stadium on Sunday at 3pm.
Read more »