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Lilishiyile Eli igorha (Our hero has left us)

While saddened by the fact of George Pemba's passing away, those who are left behind can take heart and inspiration from his dedication to the ideals of freedom, equality and human dignity. He has lived these moralities for all of his long fruitful life. For those of you who are familiar with his paintings, you will know that the human dignity referred to is embedded in the heart of each of his works.

We have learned greatly from the Pembas, the Mahlathinis (Simon Nkabinde), the Matshikizas (Todd) and the Tembas (Can) of South Africa, that our art, culture, music, dance, song and writing, all born of the soil, are the very soul of our country. Moreover, they can be a driving force to economic prosperity.

George Pemba lived and endured a system designed specifically to ensure that men and women such as he would not achieve the levels to which their ability entitled them. He was a true champion; a man of strength and determination who used his God-given talents to overcome the myriad of obstacles placed in his way. There are a host of names, from every corner of our country, that spring unbidden to mind. There is for example, Dumile Feni, who died in exile in 1991. His acclaim, like that of so many black South Africans, was to come posthumously.

In his area of the arts, George Pemba has been a leader and it is guided by the spirit of his endeavour, and that of those other South African heroes in the arts, that the policies of arts and culture, first promulgated in 1996, are currently being put into practice.

Today, we have learned from him that there is the vital need for more and more education and training in every area of arts and culture. My Ministry is set on a determined path to ensure where there is talent such as that of George Pemba, it will be given the opportunity to grow and flourish.

Hamba gorha elihle usilungisele apho uyakhona siyohlala siyikhumbula imisebenzi yakho emihle.

Contact: Andile Xaba on012 337 8313/082 370 5336

Issued by: Ministry of Arts, Culture, Science and Technology, 20 July 2001