Slain Mamelodi councilor hailed as a ‘beacon of hope’

 

Family and friends of slain Mamelodi ward councilor, Thabang Masemola, say they are struggling to come to terms with his death.

The 36-year-old, who was an ANC ward 10 councilor, was tragically murdered last week in a suspected hit.

According to police, Masemola sustained fatal injuries after being ambushed by unknown suspects, who are still being sought by authorities.

Masemola was elected as councilor in 2021. He has been described as an understanding leader, who was in touch with the community’s everyday challenges.

Scores of people gathered at the Calvary Church, in Mamelodi East, to pay their last respects to the 36-year-old.

His family says it doesn’t know why anyone would want him dead, as he was a leader who always wanted to do good for his community.

His inconsolable sister, Dimakatso, says his death has left a gaping hole in their lives because he was their support system.

“We lost everything. He was everything to us. He was a brother, he was a father even to me. He was a husband to our mother, because he was the one who was providing for us. He was the bread winner in the family,” said Dimakatso.

She expressed faith in the police, saying she is hopeful that they will find those responsible for her brother’s murder, urging authorities to arrest the suspects as soon as possible before they kill again.

The family also expressed satisfaction in Masemola’s passion for his community, noting that community members would come to him when they had problems in the township.

His uncle, who also spoke at the memorial, suggested that the clinic that’s under construction in Mamelodi be named after the late councilor. He is said to have been the brains behind the project.

“The family heard that Thabang, before he died, was supposed to help open a clinic around here. He was very instrumental in making sure that the project succeeds, so we just want to pose that the project, which is not yet named under anyone, be named after this young lion.”

Masemola’s friends described him as someone who loved empowering and encouraging young people to do good in their communities.

Thabang Shai, who says he spent most of of his time with Masemola, says the ward councilor adored children and wanted nothing more than a bright future for them, particularly those from his neighbourhood.

“The night before he died around 10 p.m. I was with him and he said to me the economy of the country shows that young people need to work very hard and told me that I have to be motivated enough to help make South Africa a better place. He urged me take example from those who came before us and do something even better,” said Shai.

ANC Youth League’s Jabulani Mmusi says Masemola always availed himself to attend the issues of his community.

“At some point he didn’t sleep making sure that he is on site helping people who were fixing electricity in the neighbourhood. He would make sure that he stays with the technicians while they did their work and update the community when there were issues with electricity until it gets restored,” said Mmusi.

Written by Odirile Rabalao