The Amazwi Villager

Written by Constance Rahlane

Luxury cars, old cars and taxis were parked outside the homestead of the late English Hlengani Mathebula, 72. Inside, there were no parking spots. The street was full of cars. Two big blue and white tents were full of mourners. Most people stood. There were no available seats. Some people dressed in formal clothes, others in traditional clothes of muchongolo, and certain men wore comrades clothes. Many ANC ward counselors from around Bushbuckridge were there. Pastor Patric Mahlawule sat in front with his bible on the table. A man wearing short pants and a leopard-print shirt blew the mpalampala horn; the loud sound of the muchongolo drum called more people who were still in their homes. Even the cold weather didn’t stop people from flocking in. The MC, Mr. Mthisi, talked on the microphone about how great Mathebula was in politics. Behind the huge house, women wearing black and white society clothes worked tirelessly on the fire flames, making sure that everyone went home with a full stomach. There were lots of funerals in Cottondale village, but English Mathebula’s funeral was special because there were different cultural traditions, unlike other funerals where people only worship God. Songs alternated between worship, traditional and political. There wasn’t a typical funeral mood, only joy. Some people came to enjoy muchongolo dance.

A traditional dance contest that takes place on Sunday afternoons around Bushbuckridge, muchongolo is a cultural tradition loved by men, where they dance wearing white shorts and nothing on top. They dance by jumping and making a circle. Sometimes one guy gets inside the circle and dances, while others clap hands, holding sticks and leopards skin, beating them together while dancing. Women wearing traditional red and white clothes sing and dance alongside the men.

People were celebrating English Mathebula’s life. The late father of one, he was a man involved in diverse activities during his time. He loved muchongolo very much, and was a political member of ANC. “I was born watching him go to muchongolo every Sunday,” said his only son, Magic Mathebula. Magic also said his father loved politics. “He would do anything to find himself at political meetings; he loved the ANC very much,” he explained.

Everyone who gave a speech agreed with Magic. “When the women’s league went to meetings, he always took them in his car for free, even far,” said Mr. Mthisi. “Viva ANC, viva! Viva women’s league, viva! Viva ANC youth league, viva!” Mthisi continued in his loud, deep voice. And the crowd responded in one voice, “Viva!”

After everyone’s speeches, pastor Mahlawule preached the word of God, although Mathebula did not attend church in his time. After the preaching, it was time to let Mr. Mathebula rest in his final home. Male politicians and muchongolo dancers held his casket while women sang traditional songs. The drum was beating loudly. Everyone danced, holding sticks and leopard skins, including Magic; the dust blew all over the place. The only moment with a funeral mood was when Mathebula’s eleven-year-old grandson cried hysterically as he watched his grandfather’s casket going underground. The song hamba kahle Mkhonto we sizwe, (go well Mkhoto we Sizwe) was sung when the casket was lowered and filled by all the comrades. After that, the singing and dancing began. The tombstone was also unveiled that day; a big portrait of Mathebula wearing muchongolo clothing was placed on the grave with his stick and leopard skin, which he used while dancing.

Mathebula was buried outside his home, under the marula tree, next to three family graves. “The way the funeral turned out, was the way my father wanted it to be. I will miss him dearly; he was a man who loved his two grandchildren very much,” Magic concluded.