By More Matshediso
Pretoria – Many South Africans remember the late Public Services and Administration Minister, Collins Chabane, not only as a political leader but as a musician.
Most South Africans, who visited the Union Buildings, in Pretoria, on Tuesday to pay tribute to the late Minister by writing messages of condolences in the condolence book provided, remembered him for his musical talent.
Michael Mabaso, 46, of Kempton Park said he once attended an arts festival in Pretoria in 2009 in which Minister Chabane performed.
“I was moved by his performance on stage and I was also surprised because I had not known him to be a musician before,” Mabaso told SAnews.
He said the Minister seemed to be a good man and he was sad to learn about his passing.
South Africans came in numbers to write their messages of condolences in different languages including Xitsonga, Tshivenda, Pedi, English and Tswana.
Gilton Maluleke, who was accompanied by his friend Avhatakali Mbambale, wished the Minister farewell in the condolence book.
The two gentlemen said they came to pay tribute to the Minister because he was one of their own.
“He is a member of our family tree. He and I share the same bloodline. We lost an icon in our family and we are only left with his memories. He was a great man,” said the 24-year-old Maluleke.
He said he will remember him especially because of the music he played. “I followed his music,” said Maluleke, who originates from Malamulele in Limpopo.
His friend also shared the same sentiments, saying he will remember the Minister particularly for the musician he was.
“I loved his music and I followed him,” said Mbambbale of Thohoyandou in Limpopo.
*Click here to view our online tribute to Minister Chabane. - SAnews.gov.za
