Caption: Cllr Samkelo Janda - Mayor of Mbhashe Local Municipality, Cllr Nomvuyo Mposelwa – Executive Mayor of Joe Gqabi District Municipality, MEC Nonceba Kontsiwe, and Senqu Local Municipality Mayor – Cllr Velile Stokwe
Sterkspruit, 19 October2025
On the occasion of what would have been his 96th birthday, yesterday (18 October), the Battle of Lurwayizo Development (BOLD) in partnership with the Mbhashe Local Municipality, Senqu Local Municipality and Joe Gqabi District Municipality (JGDM) hosted the memorialisation of Dr. Zolile Warren “Mdala” Nombe at the Bensonvale College of Education in Sterkspruit within the Senqu Local Municipality.
The Battle of Lurwayizo took place from January 21 – 22 in 1987 and recorded a fierce 36-hour shootout between the South African Defence Force and anti-apartheid activists, led by Mbulelo Ngono, in the small village of Lurwayizo in Willowvale.
The Bold initiative emerged from a poignant historical event, catalysing a vision that transcends conflict into a future of harmony and progress. In his opening remarks, the Senqu Local Municipality Mayor, Councillor (Cllr) Velile Stokwe underscored the significance of the memorialisation and preservation of history, remarking that “future generations must be able to recognise and understand the struggle of those that paved the way for them to live a better life than they did.”
The Bold linkage with Dr. Nombe stems from his role as an underground combatant of the African National Congress (ANC) and uMkhonto we Sizwe (MK), while he also played a significant part in the development of communities, institutions, and ideals that continue to shape our democratic society.
JGDM Executive Mayor, Cllr Nomvuyo Mposelwa, hailed Dr. Nombe’s legacy, stating that struggle was never only about political liberation but about the liberation of the human spirit through education, equality, and opportunity. “He envisioned communities where every person could live with dignity and hope. These same principles guide our
governance today. Our municipality is inspired by his legacy as we pursue a developmental local government that places people at the centre of planning and progress,” she said.
She further noted that “today we are reminded that freedom without development is incomplete. Our responsibility as government is to make liberation real by translating it into clean water, decent jobs, functional infrastructure, and opportunities for every young person.”
“Through our Integrated Development Plan (IDP), we continue to implement programmes focused on infrastructure maintenance, equitable distribution, and sustainability of water systems, ensuring that no household in the district is left behind. In doing so, the municipality is giving life to Dr. Nombe’s dream of a society where basic rights are realised for all – and not as privileges, but as guarantees of democracy.
In addition, our investments in youth development, education, and skills training have resulted in partnerships with institutions like the Bensonvale College of Education as means to nurture the next generation of leaders, innovators, and public servants – assuring that Dr.Nombe’s values are passed on to future generations,” She added.
Cllr explained that in being recognised as the best-run municipality in the Eastern Cape, JGDM’s disciplined financial management, transparency and culture of accountability that places public interest first, along with providing platforms such as the State of the District Address (SODA) and community outreaches, sees this participatory governance model echo Dr. Nombe’s lifelong advocacy for democracy rooted in the people’s voice.
Ms Bongi Mokaba, daughter of Dr. Nombe, gave an emotional tribute to her father – highlighting his staunch belief in being an activist for education and the emancipation of the oppressed.
“Mdala, as he was fondly known, would encourage us [his children] to join student activist groups and read to understand. He valued learning and constantly trying to become a better person than you were yesterday,” she reminisced.
The programme included reflective discussions on Dr. Nombe, with a panel facilitated by Mbhashe Local Municipality Mayor, Cllr Samkelo Janda. The panellists included Mr Duma Luthango, Mr Mandisi Mphahlwa, Mr Johnson Ntunya, Mr Mwandile Vena, Advocate Pumzile Mayapi and Mr Moffat Qithi. Member of the Eastern Cape Executive Committee (MEC), Honourable Nonceba Kontsiwe, provided a summative speech to conclude the
programme.
