Joint tribute to the regional secretary of SASCO Ngaka Modiri Molema Cde Lesego Racoco
Contributors SASCO NWU Mafikeng Campus Branch, ANCYL Ngaka Modiri Molema Region and Friends in Bokone Bophirima
On 18 September 1992 a gallant yet humble servant of the youth and student movement was born. Since his arrival at the North West University Mafikeng Campus in 2012, Cde Lesego Racoco served the Progressive Youth Alliance (PYA) with gusto, dedication, vigour, disciplined militancy and radicalism, intellect and focus. On campus, he was elected additional member of SASCO in 2014 and branch secretary of the ANCYL in 2015. He founded and led MACESO, an organisation of students in the commerce council, and became chairperson of the Commerce Student Council (CSC) in 2014-15. In the region, he was appointed RTT coordinator of SASCO Ngaka Modiri Molema Region in 2016 and went on to become its regional secretary that same year. He passed on as the incumbent in that capacity.
He played a critical role in the planning and execution of the heroic students’ struggles in the form of the 2015 Taletso Mafikeng Campus protests and NWU Mafikeng Campus #FeesMustFall protests among other struggles. He led the organization programmatically and was always at the center of inductions, political lectures, recruitments, door-to-doors and other campaigns.
In his humble demeanour, the leadership exhumed an unparalleled level of patience in our ranks and an admirable capacity to engage in persuasive, constructive and intellectually tasking discussions. In his honest, blunt and frank talk he hid no dirt under the carpet. He put matters as they are without fear, favour or reproach. Cde Lesego Racoco was an incorruptible young leader who was rigid in principle yet flexible in tactic. He led organically in structures of the movement without the need for money or material in his free service. Who would forget his role in our Right To Learn Campaigns when he ensured that students from poor and working class backgrounds gain access to institutions of higher learning? Who would forget his role in SRC elections when he worked tirelessly to ensure that SASCO triumphed? Who would forget his charitable fundraisers at the faculty of commerce? Who would forget his to build and maintain cordial working relationships as made evident by the MACESO-SA Reserve Bank one or the relationship he had with the provincial and local government in the province?
As student and youth activists we should not only mourn the untimely passing of the cadre but we should also celebrate his life as it is a life worthy of celebrating. He was an invaluable asset of the revolution who continuously called for unity among the youth and the broader mass democratic movement. He used to say to us “a re berekeng rotlhe comrades”. As such, we call upon each and every member of the organisation to use this period to reflect and act on the unity of the organisation in the province. Let his death not be in vain but be a tool that brings us together. To the family and friends of our fallen hero, we wish you to find comfort in the word of former president Thabo Mbeki when he said “gloom and despondency have never defeated adversity. Trying times need courage and resilience. Our strength as a people is not tested during our best times”. In those few words, we pass our condolences to all. We shall continue where you left mokwaledi. Pelo tsa rona di imetswe. Robala ka kagiso Tlhapi. Aluta continua
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Eish my friend……