Former South African president Jacob Zuma paid his final respects to fallen uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP) member Nkosentsha Shezi during a memorial service marked by emotional tributes and calls for unity within the party. Speaking before mourners gathered to honour Shezi’s life, Zuma described the late party member as a committed activist who dedicated his energy to advancing the MKP’s political mission. He said Shezi’s death was a painful loss for the organisation and for communities that had come to rely on his leadership. Today we honour a cadre who believed in the struggle and worked tirelessly for the people, Zuma said. His dedication and loyalty to the movement will remain an inspiration to many.
Zuma reflected on Shezi’s role within the party, noting that he had been among grassroots organisers who worked to mobilise support and strengthen the MKP’s presence in communities. According to Zuma, such efforts were vital in building a movement that sought to address social and economic challenges facing ordinary citizens. Family members, party supporters and local community leaders attended the tribute, remembering Shezi as a disciplined and humble individual who prioritised service above personal recognition. Several speakers highlighted his willingness to work behind the scenes to ensure party programmes and community initiatives were successful. He was not only a political activist but also a community builder, one speaker said, describing Shezi as someone who consistently encouraged young people to participate in civic and political processes.
The ceremony was marked by songs associated with South Africa’s liberation struggle, reflecting the political roots of the MKP and the movement’s continued emphasis on historical identity and activism. Zuma urged party members to honour Shezi’s legacy by remaining united and committed to the principles the organisation represents. He called on supporters to continue organising at grassroots level and to remain focused on strengthening the party’s influence. Let us keep his spirit alive by continuing the work he believed in, Zuma told the crowd. The memorial concluded with prayers and messages of condolence to Shezi’s family, as mourners pledged to remember his contribution to the party and the communities he served.
