SEBOTJA, or Jerry, as everybody called him, was a man of many characters and nicknames. Some called him Mahobe, Jacky Meier, Mjerere and many other names because he was many good things to many people.
Affable, always ready with a smile, and speaking with a level of emphasis that made his contribution to any discussion difficult to ignore, you had to hear Jerry’s view, whether it was him explaining why the Buccaneers (Orlando Pirates Football Club) would win the league despite losing a string of games, or lately on the golf swings in the Limpopo fairways.
Whether it was back then about the wrongness of white oppression, or why Black Consciousness as a liberating philosophy was the only way to remove the mental shackles that bound black people to slavery even now, Jerry would be unwavering.
From the time of the Lebowa Bantustan government where he started working as a Grade 2 Clerk in 1978, or in the post-apartheid arrangement and its cadre deployment irrespective of skills, Jerry would lose opportunities to be promoted to senior positions at work for being a member of the Azanian People’s Organisation (Azapo). And he would accept that as the prize and fate of being faithful to himself and his beliefs.
He served in the Limpopo Provincial Executive Committee of Azapo as Treasurer in 2006, and according to the present leadership of that organisation: “Jerry contributed immensely to the struggle for freedom at a time when doing so brought dangers of detention and sacrifices at work, but he stayed true to his beliefs.
“People of his calibre and work ethic are sorely needed in these times when virtually everything that black leaders touch tend to fail due to greed and absence of commitment to service to the Azanian masses.”
Perhaps Jerry’s role is captured in a citation for an award presented to him by the Tsedu family last year together with 17 other Seshego comrades of different liberation movements for standing by the family during the dark days of the banning of Mathatha Tsedu in the 80’s.
It is stated in part: “As part of [the celebration of Mathatha’s 70th birthday, the Tsedu] family takes the opportunity to not just celebrate his life, but to also acknowledge those who, alongside him, played a key role in advancing the cause of freedom and justice in pursuit of liberation in South Africa and who, in the process also showed him love, solidarity, and exemplary commitment to truth and to each other.
“On the day that Tsedu was banned, Sebotja was out of town for the weekend [to visit his wife]. When he heard the news on the radio that evening, he cut the visit to his wife short to return and check on Tsedu. He was arrested by the security police as he left Tsedu’s house and assaulted.
“Despite this, Sebotja remained a true comrade and friend, a constant source of support to Tsedu and the family, which enabled Tsedu to survive the harsh conditions of a banning order. Sebotja was and remains a constant and dependable companion to this day.
“The unbelievable commitment, bravery, and solidarity displayed, in the face of the danger of harassment, brutal beatings, and detentions, were practical manifestations of Black Solidarity and gave Tsedu and the family courage to continue in the struggle.”
Jerry was a civil servant for his entire working life. He started his career in the Lebowa Department of Finance as a Grade 2 clerk, He was promoted to Grade 1 in 1980. During the decentralisation of different finance sections, he was transferred to the finance division of the Department of Works, where he worked until 1995.
The advent of the new democratic government meant the amalgamation of 4 different public works departments: Transvaal, Lebowa, Gazankulu and Venda. In 1995, resulting from this rationalisation, he was transferred to the provincial Department of Transport of what was then known as the Northern Province, today Limpopo. He worked there until his retirement in 2018, holding the rank of Assistant Director in charge of Inspections.
Born on July 4, 1957, at Ga Semenya in Moletjie, he was the third and last born child of ntate Mputsoa Tlou Sebotja and mme Evelyn Sebotja, both now deceased. His other siblings were sisters.
He started his schooling at Ga Semenya until he passed his then Standard Six. The family moved to Zone 1 Seshego, Masakaneng, from where he started his secondary schooling at Mohlakaneng until he passed his Matric. He then started working for the government in 1978.
He married Maditsela Mamabolo, and they were blessed with two sons, Kgetja and Mputsoa. Kgetja died in 2006. A loving husband and father, Mrs Sebotja describes Jerry, as she also calls him, as a husband from heaven.
“He spoiled me so much, I didn’t have to run around and do anything. Jerry would be there. The way he loved me, it was like he was my brother, I think because I was an orphan he was trying to make sure I never miss my parents.
“When he started playing golf I was there to pick up the balls. I know all the golf clubs in Limpopo.” The family first lived in Zone 3 Seshego before moving to Flora Park in 1996.
Jerry was involved in the struggle for the integration of education in Polokwane, ensuring that schools like the Pietersburg Primary School opened their doors to black children in its feeders area in the face of a then still very strong AWB that didn’t want race mixing.
After retirement, he also started doing morning walks and wearing white hats. He was part of a number of social groups including Polokwane Pensioners Association and Dibata Di Kopane Social Club.
He fell ill last week, was admitted to Pholosho Netcare Hospital, and died on Tuesday the 28 of November 2023. He leaves behind his wife, son, his sister, a legion of shocked friends and comrades, and a legacy of a good man.
