My Two Big Brothers

Eric & Ruel

The year was 1980,Bob Mugabe had just become the new African hero.Zimbawe was now independent of British rule .Bob Marley had just done a memorable Concert at the Independence Celebrations with ‘Stir it Up’ and ‘No Women No Cry’. The mood in the region was festive and we in South Africa thought that our turn is coming in a couple of weeks. Little did we know that it will take another 14 years.

Then there was Eric and Reuel .These two brothers were the shining light in our young lives that they were the proof that Freedom is close.

Mind you this was my first Matric year under the old Joint Matriculation System (JMB) were Matric was two years. At that age you are part of ‘die Manne’.This is that high school age were you think you are it.You know everything and your Uncle can cross the Vaal Dam with one leap without falling in the river. As part of ‘die Manne’ your mates are everything and you just in the middle of adolescence and fantasy is in everything. Girls, Women occupy every second minute of your life. Your view of the world has endless possibilities. The only thing cramping your style is this Matric that you have to finish.

Part of my portfolio at the school was Entertainment and I had the misfortune of taking my school to the Colosseum Theatre to watch the ‘Temptations or ‘Isaac Hayes’ in the school bus. Patrick Legege our bus driver was my main man as a self-appointed bus conductor cum coordinator cum spokesperson .I got to sit with him in the front of the bus and discuss adult things. The other day I bumped into my old class-mate Malcom Goldberg who reminded me of these trips to down town Joburg, Commissioner Street.

It was during one of these trips that I saw Eric Mafuna for the first time.

He was coming out of the then Carlton Hotel wearing a navy blue double press jacket with grey pants, white shirt and a smashing tie. Florsheim shoes with no laces and soft leather business case. I still dress like this till today!…………He was in conversation with some European business people and it was clear that he was in charge of the conversation and just concluding a few points before his next appointment.

Eric had an office at the Carlton Centre, then the centre of the World.

Now, for a Black Brother in Apartheid South Africa to have an office on the 48^th floor of the 50 floor Carlton was Big-S—t.It means that this brother overlooks the rest of Johannesburg from his work desk every day. Even many white people do not have that luxury. This fact alone was very empowering to a young black mind. It said that despite everything even I can do it too.

This was so impactful and Vintage Eric. I was tempted to rush to him to say. My brother please wait for me I will be with you in six years. In my heart I said it loud but I think I must have said it to ‘die Manne’ as we watched him disappear in the distance. They laughed at me and said ‘Hot Shot’, one of my nick names then, ‘you are dreaming’.

Well I never stormed Eric that afternoon and little did I know I will be working on a project with him in 1986.Right on schedule.

Reuel Khoza on the other hand had an even closer impact on my life that by 1984 .He even showed me how to structure a proposal. As part of the Soweto Chamber of Commerce & Industries I was mandated to work with Ruel in our proposal for funding from National Cash Registers (NCR) in preparation for the Soweto Convention On Economic Development. The conference was a major success and in the two days I met people who would constantly be in my life and form part of the making of Mac Donald Ntau Temane (Cham, Goods, Spencer, Hot Shot, and Duck etc.).

Chris Ball (Ceo Barclays Bank),who I later worked for, Bob Tucker(Ceo Perm Building Society)Don Mkwanazi(President Black Management Forum)Don Ncube (Senior Exec Anglo American)Leon Louw(Free Market Foundation)Jill Nattress(senior Economist) Simon Brant (Head of the Development Bank).

Reuel Khoza, Letepe Maisela and a young Gary Morolo then run Coordinated Marketing and what a fantastic memorable Conference they put on. The resolutions of that conference and what is to be done with Economic Developments both in Urban and Rural areas is still relevant today. The current ANC government need not research anything but implement that document done in 1984.

Later Reuel served on the board of Standard Bank Asset Management (STANIC) and was a great source of inspiration to me and those of us who were coming up, Lot Ndlovu among others. His presence said ‘It can be done’. The late Vusi Ngubeni and I spend hour perusing this document and came to the conclusion that nothing needs to be altered on this document.

One of the most enjoyable assignment was to make a ring for the Kloza’s and seeing sis’ Mumsy smile brought so much joy to me.There is nothing like a smile that comes from a wife when a ring comes from her husband to her. The transfer of emotions is palpable. It is when these kinds of smiles come out that has kept me in the business for over 27 YEARS. You see, you can never tell what keeps you doing certain things on and on for years. I now know it is these small things such as a ‘Smile’ more that the money.

Anyway, Big Brother and I had a small stint through this journey of life with a Vodacom transection and were I sold all my shares to Vodac to move out of the telephone business. And when Qwede Mantashe of the ANC attacked him for calling out Corruption and Maladministration in government. I was offended and felt like ashamed that I did not stand up for my big brother against such bullies.

I was very proud to attend a meeting where my two brothers got closer. This was following the Reebok and Nike deal entry into South Africa. Both my brothers were on either side. I think it was Sam Noinyane who said to both of them that when as Blacks we enter these industries we must be a team. Compete on the field of play in the market but go out to dinner afterwards. You see, it has been my feeling that the unnecessary rivalry that was being pushed by some among us was unhealthy. Believe me, there were those who would say who is better .Reuel Khoza or Eric Mafuna?

This was a similar rival between Jomo Sono and Ace Ntsoelengwe.As to who is better?

We have so few Heroes In Africa, the last thing we need, is to have those that live in the same time period, to be at each other’s thoughts or work against each other.

So to my two Big Brothers. Thank you for what you have done for Me!

{This piece is dedicated to Reuel Khoza and Eric Mafuna my two Big Brothers. I have learned so much from watching you do things and if I can come half as close as your achievements. I will consider myself Lucky.}

Che

Che

In the beginning was the word, and the word was with God, and the word was God. (John 1:1-6).

Now this is where I would like you to fasten your seatbelts tight. Very tight. Since I am about to take off in a Revolutionary direction. In a forceful and somewhat violent way………..I therefore do not want you to fall off this conversation or get hurt in the process. Or on the other hand  wake up at the end. Only to wonder, what happened.

Here goes…………..and the word was God. The word that I speak to you has spirit and spirit give life or spirit is life. And spirit is...Che!

It is therefore interesting to note that Ernesto ‘Che’ Guevara is the Global Symbol of ‘Revolution’. Something that is associated with death and distraction. We also know that as a revolutionary ‘Che’ took life. And yet ‘Che’ was a medical practitioner (physician) originally and therefore ‘Che’ gave and protected life. Some synonyms of life in other dialects is ‘Che’. When people look at organisms that form from scratch like worms etc. They often retort that it has ‘Che’ meaning Life.

Why it is then that new life comes from a ‘revolution ‘and Struggle?

I would also like to argue that Child birth for instance is a form of ‘revolution’ due to the pain and suffering associated with it.Yet the beauty that follows is unimaginable. The process that precede conception is on the other hand So pleasurable. Love making, romance etc.

Would it be far-fetched, to say that a man who took a Hippocratic oath to protect life decided to take life in order to give better life in Cuba?(and by the way ‘ Che’ was Argentinian).

Here is a man who in years after the Cuban Revolution decided to ‘Franchise’ revolutions around the Globe. Most famously in other South American countries till his capture and death in 1967 in Bolivia.

Che was also active on the African continent in former Zaire and later in Angola. The old military veterans of the African National Congress ANC (Umkhonto we Sizwe)who fought alongside him, called ‘Che’, ‘Mathatho’ meaning 3 in reference to the three letters of his name. This was also done to confuse the enemy not to know, who is who in the Zoo. Now that the cat is out of the bag I might as well tell you that many in the ANC went by various names underground. I laughed my lungs out to discover that the former Mayor of Johannesburg Amos Masondo was known as Ambi in exile. So when we first met in the early 90’s he was unsure as to which name I should use as we were plotting the final Downfall of the Apartheid State and preparing for elections.

The word therefore must be paid attention to. It must be read and understood for its ability to give life literally by moving from the bible in to the the hearts and Spirits of the Unwell….!

I repeat by ‘Moving out of the bible into the hearts and Spirits of the sick’.

When this action is administered by a true Prophet of God he or she literally blows off the words from the page into the patient. This I have seen with the eyes of faith in my church. I have also seen prophesies that boggle the mind day after day after day. If this was a one-time occurrence I would dismiss it as luck. When it happens constantly to the children of God. Even I become I true believer in the word!

You can now unfasten your seatbelt and relax. The real turbulence in this message is over. I pray that you got it.If you did not please read it again and if after that you still do not get it .Please call me.

This is not a blind trust in something or things not seen.

Now, believe me, I am very sceptical of a lot of things and I question almost everything. I am close to doubting Thomas as they come. But this is true.

When I started this book, I titled it ‘Dad these Children Cannot Pray’. This was for reasons explained in chapter 1 which I incidentally called Genesis. I had no idea that in this the final stages of this book such as now. That I would be so deep into matters spiritual. So please forgive me by ending my life journey in this manner it was not intentional. I am not ashamed of it, if fact I am proud that I got to this point in this way.

May the Almighty grant us Grace to find and know him, God is Life!

{All thanks to the team at Jehovah Reigns Ministries Apostle and Prophetess Cindy Mabaso,Pastor Malatji and their great team. The gift that I received from them is Priceless. The covenant that I made with the lord will come to pass and nations come to marvel and be inspired by what will happen at Prayer City. This I believe in Faith.}

This is probably one of my last chapters for my Autobiography:

                                                                                ‘Dad This Children Cannot Pray’

Mpanza Memorial

Mpanza

The 25 of August 2016 will forever be edged in my memory as the day I rediscovered the greatness of South Africa. My country of birth, my home country, a place where God released me in the universe. It is only when you understand the greatness and the vastness God that you truly appreciate his power to have placed you at a particular time and place according to his wishes. This is in my opinion a privilege to know and understand the power of God.

Anyway, accept the highway, the subway and the tunnel as we used to say in my Suburb of Pimville Soweto. Today, I was transformed to my youth at the age of 16/17 years of age because most of those who spend the day with me, I met then.

It was quit ironic because all those kids were now men and women and I realised we had spent our precious carefree youth together and now we were grown.

What was ironic was that we were at a memorial service of Makhuza Horace Mpanza our friend Brain Mpanza’s Dad. (May his soul rest in peace).O Skumbuzo Gap Nkosi was the Master of Ceremonies and he did a great job. Now the last thing that one would have imagined when we were young was that in the Gang that we were, O’ Skhumba would have ended up as being in charge of proceedings of a large congregation for such a giant as Mr. Mpanza and as I have said handled it well.

Now Kutloano Leballo always handled whatever had to do with important matters of the background. He was always good at the behind the scenes staff. As kids Kutloano and I would look after ice, firewood, venue etc.Khulu Ntshingila looked after the catering today and Ponti of all the members of our gang was conducting the spiritual aspects of the service since now he is in the Priesthood. Yes Ponti, the very man that in our youth, if you wanted to organise anything wild and out of the ordinary or some Booze, which we were not allowed to have by the way, you called on him.

Let me put it this way, the gang of kids that were always up to no good were a great support network for Brain and his family in his great hour of need. This is what friends are for. In fact I discovered that we were not just friends but brothers in arms.

The whole Gang chipped in, in one way or the other and there are many that I did not mention or see since as I was not at the centre of proceedings this time around. Zola, Brian’s sister had difficulty when thanking all friends that she had to say ‘you know who you all are’ so that she does not miss anybody’s name.

The one person that was clearly missing was my one and only Arlene and when Zoli Kunene came to me to ask where she was I knew she had been part of the team since our youth. She had an engagement at work that she could not break hence her absence at the memorial. She was Mr.and Mrs Mpanza’s favourite and she would spent a lot of time with them in the house at a time when one never introduced your girl to you folks out of respect. They made her feel welcome and her Afrikaans heritage was no issue.Thami Lefakane and Dwight kept remembering small things that Arlene and I used to do in the then Apartheid South Africa and we were not aware we were breaking moulds and pioneering anything since ours was just love at its best.

Frank Sinatra’s ‘My Way’ was the theme song  for the memorial and I quickly gathered that it was Horace Mpanza’ s favourite song. It was in fact very fitting in that he was a Hip elderly man.In Fact Dwight and I just realised that whenever we went to visit Brian. Individually we would spent more time with Horace than with our friend, Brain. He would always be fidgeting with with some electronic equipment that did not wish to come right, so of the six hours you spend at the Mpanzas five and a half would be with Horace.

It is only today that I realised that all of us as Brains friends were just drinking the wisdom that was in his oldman.What a Communicator.

A member of the family from the Free State spoke in Crisp descriptive Zulu and gave us an inside into Horace Makhuza Mpanza that we never knew. That Horace’s father had come from a Mission school where he became a teacher. Since he was born in 1931 ,his grandfather dated around 1800 when missionary settlers first came into contact with us Natives of this Continent and descendants of the original Homo Sapiens.

This he did not say, I just worked it out by logical Arithmetic. Suddenly, a whole new Universe opened right in front of me and everything began to make sense.

Why is South Africa such a great country?

Well, we are living in the Cradle of Humankind, we are direct descendants of original man and if you believe in genetic memory we carry the original gene that is why we had a Bloodless Revolution in 1994 to the envy of all Mankind!

If on the other hand you believe in the bible as I do .The Garden of Eden was somewhere around here.I then re-read Genesis 2:7 (And the Lord God formed man of dust…….living soul).Now this is where things started getting interesting since in Genesis 2:11(The name……where there is Gold).Now maybe I did not sleep well the previous night but Gold is abundant in South Africa……….Or is this just a coincidence.

Now if you read all that I have said backwards, all still make sense Vis South Africa, Gold, Genesis, and Cradle of Humankind.

Now I always double check myself whenever I discover something. I even double check if I was not drinking or someone was not smoking Ganja nearby and I inhaled by mistake?

So this little theory of mine began to explain a lot to me.In conversation with Menzi Kunene at the memorial we touched on why is it that South Africans excel on every world body that they are part off. Sam Ramsammy at the Olympics .Danny Jordan at FIFA.Abbey Chikane and I on the Kimberley Process a South African iniciative.In fact we agreed that the was nothing stopping us from hosting all other tournaments after the FIFA World Cup but stupid Jacob Zuma.His actions of costing our country and our movement the moral high ground which it enjoyed since Nelson Mandela. (My words not Menzis’ in case someone wants to attack, I take the responsibility).

Now let be put everything in context so that everything is clear.

At the morning of the memorial, our finance minister Pravin Gordhan had just refused to meet with the Hawks Special Investigating Unit on some trumped up charge. This charge was brought about by some General Ntsebeza I think, who a court of law found twice to be untruthful. So the country was on a knife edge fearing a repeat of December 9/12 of year 2015.This is when  our famous President fired a competent finance minister Nene and whipped of over $1bn of value from our national assets and send the rand/dollar exchange to R20.00/$1.

So it was a tense day for all practical perposses.I had just seen a You-tube of Sipho Pityana ‘Zemkile inkomo magwala idini’ as he pays tribute to the late Rev.Stofile.This cry was first heard when the settlers arrived in 1652 and the years that followed. But today it was directed at the floundering African National Congress who were silent as a grave when they knew that all was falling around them and the so-called leaders did nothing.

For the first time in a long time when I was watching Sipho Pityana. I was filled with Hope once again that South Africa does have Men and Women of Quality. To take the Beloved Country forward. And that the lessons of Horace and our forefathers did not fall on deaf ears. That in South Africa cometh the time, Cometh the MAN or WOMEN.

So I want to finally assure everybody, that in every century. God gives the world, Two great statesmen and I concede that in the last century, Nelson Mandela was both these statesmen.

 In this century the almighty is going to give us another two, but one of them is going to be a women. But both are going to come from South Africa and one I am going to see in my lifetime!

{This article is a tribute to H.M. Mpanza and all the brotherhood and sisterhood I grew up with Peter Temane,Brain,Skhumbuzo,Thami,Khulu,Dwight,Kutlwano,Moss,Zoli,Zanosi,Ponti,Pops,Zola,Lwazi,Morakane,Arlene,Zandi,Motshabi,Lami-ki and

All the gang members who stood to support each other in Good and Bad times. May our children grow to learn the value of a TEAM.

Even though we may not always be together, we will never be Apart}

Tank Bulbulia

Of all the master business classes that I ever had. And I have had many. None of them stick in my head than that came out of Tank Bulbulia.

Do not get me wrong this in no way diminish what I learned from Philemon Makgetha; Makana Tshabalala; Peter Springit; Chris Ball; Morita Sun of Sony and many others.

I went to high school with Tank’s daughter Fatima and his late son Simod (May his soul rest in peace).

Tank was a great pioneer of Fitas, a place near Braamfontein railway Station in an area we call Fordsburg today. This is an area where Sharif Khan ruled and the late Scara Sono (Jomo Sono’s father) held court. No self-respecting criminal dare do anything silly without paying homage to these gentlemen.

When the Oriental Plaza was established, the Nationalists Party had to consult with Tank and his committee before anything can happen. This was to enforce the Group Areas Act. What is funny is that most of the houses in Fitas were demolished but not Tank’s house and the Mosque two blocks away. Word has it that the bull dozers ran out of diesel and they would return later to finish the job, from 1956 till today.

Please allow me to digress and tell you a little bit about Sharif Khan. A tall man who resembles a village’s Black Smith but always in a double breasted suit and a slim tie.Mr.Kharn never worked for anybody or owned a store or anything but always well dressed and loaded with cash. “Die was a Outie” self-made a ‘Gosha’……..One of the best compliments I was ever paid was that I was a ‘Gumsha’.Knowing the origin of this descriptive term made me very proud to wear this label. Let me let you inn on a little “township” secret. A ‘Gumsha’ is an independent person who makes his way in this world. Never bowing to the status quo.He makes his own rules but only obeys the Laws of God. Many man made laws do not apply to him. Very often he is the go to guy and will solve most problems. He is the Godfather without a gun..!

Anyway, I was still telling you about Tank. One afternoon, after I had watched my weekly Chinese 12:30 show at Starlight Cinema in President street, I went past the Oriental Plaza to  visit Mrs Bulbulia,Tank’s wife ,whom I had grown fond of. Who by the way made the best samoosas’ in town. Now, there is nothing like Mrs.Bulbulia’s samoosas’ and a Fanta Orange or Grape after watching a violent Chinese movie with sub-titles Nothing.

That weekend The Bulbulias were running ‘Buy One-Get One Free’ on Stasky jeans for R16.99.

This is at the time when Staskey jeans cost you R20-00 each anywhere in Johannesburg, Germiston or Pretoria……So after my samosa feast, I try a pair on and I was politely told that I should take the pair home for free.

My head was now spinning, not only do they sell Staskey for a bargain I had to take one home free.

As a good Cristian –boy I thanked the Bulbulias multi-fold and headed home.

One thing kept bugging me as to how they did it? As a student of business and business structures and formulas, I had to know how they got the ‘Buy one-Get one Free’ right.

I later returned and bought stock for resale at a discounted Mac-Price which went lower and lower every week where for R20 I got four pairs. I would them resell them for R9.99 each making myself a cool 100% return for my trouble. When “Bang Bang “jeans hit town I was a jean king in the township and also took lay-byes. 5liters of petrol was just under one pound so life was good.

So as years went by I plugged enough courage to as Tank how he did the trick? Oh he said….I have a great relationship with the manufacture and I buy ….All His Rejects for R1…….a pair!

He is very grateful to me that I clean up all his stock.

The penny dropped so loud in my head it was as if I was inside the Big Ben Towers of London.

The second trick that Tank tough me had to do with biscuits .This is where he resold what he bought for the buyer to resell to his other customers.

I will not bore you with the details of this one so far as to say: What a Master Class from Tank!

(This piece is dedicated to the Bulbulias whose hospitality and love never changed till now.To all my friends in Fordsburg Haniff;Dawood and all the Ouens I say sweet by you.May the Almighty bless you and your children for all you did for me!)