Eulogy For Professor Muxe Gessler Nkondo
By Dr Reuel J. Khoza I 23 August 2024
Protocol observed…
“One must wait until the evening to see how splendid the day was, one cannot judge life until death.” Charles de Gaulle.
“There are three marks of a superior man: being virtuous, he is free from anxiety, being wise he is free from perplexity; being brave, he is free from fear.” Confucius.
Today, we gather not only to mourn the loss but to celebrate the life of a giant among us, Prof. Muxe Gessler Nkondo. His passing leaves a void that words can scarcely capture, yet his legacy is one that will resonate through generations, in the halls of academia, in the corridors of government, and in the hearts of all who had the privilege of knowing him. I speak with a heavy heart, but also with immense gratitude for the privilege of having worked alongside such a remarkable individual.
Prof Nkondo was a beacon of enlightenment, a scholar, a leader, a student, a mentor and a teacher of social policy and discourse analysis who believed deeply in the transformative power of education. He championed the idea that institutions of learning must do more than disseminate technical knowledge—they must cultivate the higher sensibility and moral imagination found in the arts and humanities. This belief was not just theoretical for him; it was a guiding principle that informed his every endeavour. Prof. Nkondo's impact on the academic and cultural landscape of our nation is immeasurable. His teachings, both in and out of the lecture hall, have left an indelible mark on many of us.
During his eleven years as Vice-Chancellor and Principal of the University of Venda, and his tenure as Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice Principal at the University of the North, Prof. Nkondo worked tirelessly to transform these institutions into places where both intellect and character were nurtured. As a beacon of integrity and compassion, his vision in these institutions was to create communities of care, cohesion, and creativity.
As an educator, his work extended beyond the borders of South Africa, touching lives and shaping minds across the globe, from Harvard to Oxford, where he served as a professor, fellow, and visiting scholar. His international reach extended to memberships in prestigious organizations like the Oxford Club and the Middle East and African Council of the International Association of University Presidents.
Prof Nkondo was an exemplary servant of the nation, a policy expert who lent his formidable intellect to numerous government departments. As a committed public servant, he was a respected member of numerous boards and councils. He served on the Executive Committee of the Council of the University of South Africa, where his wisdom and leadership were invaluable. He also sat in the Africa and Middle Council of the International Association of University Chancellors. He served as a member of the board of Liberation Heritage Development agency and was coordinator of the panel of experts drafting the Intangible Cultural heritage policy of South Africa. His work on the Steering Committee of the Centre of Indigenous African Knowledge Systems at the University of KwaZulu Natal further showcased his commitment to preserving and advancing our cultural heritage.
Prof. Nkondo was also chairperson of many Technical Teams and Expert Panels in the departments of Higher Education, Arts and Culture, Trade and Industry, Tourism, Public Services and Administration, and Human Settlements. As a policy expert, Prof. Nkondo took the lead in drafting numerous charters in the Department of Arts and Culture, shaping the very foundation of our national identity. He chaired the Reference Group and Technical Teams that produced the IKS policy, the ICT Charter, Heritage Transformation Charter; and the Library and Information Services Charter. He served as chairperson of the think-tank that developed the framework for the liberation route under the auspices of the National Heritage Council and the Nelson Mandela museum. He served on the board of the Africa Institute of South Africa (AISA), the board of the South African chapter of the African Renaissance, and the board of Freedom Park.
His profound insights and his meticulous attention to detail, were marked by his deep respect for our cultural heritage. Whether chairing of the drafting the National Heritage Charter, the National Water Resources Strategy, the city of Tshwane development strategy, the national strategy for sustainable development or serving as an anchor for the Eastern Cape Planning Commission, his contributions were marked by a deep commitment to the betterment of society.
But perhaps one of the most poignant chapters in his life was his involvement in the defence of Black Consciousness arts and literature. In 1974, during the Judge Snyman Commission of Inquiry into student unrest at Turfloop, and again after the June 16, 1976 student rebellion, Prof. Nkondo stood as a beacon of courage and integrity. He presented the case for the transformation of higher education in South Africa and defended the philosophical underpinnings of Black Consciousness with a conviction that has inspired several generations.
As we reflect on the life of Prof. Nkondo, we are reminded of the breadth and depth of his contributions. He was a man of great intellect, but also of great humanity. His life was a testament to the idea that one can live a life of purpose, that one can use knowledge not merely to advance oneself but to uplift others. His recent Lifetime Achievement Award from the Broad Pool of Ideas (BPI) Foundation is but a small recognition of the monumental impact he had on all who knew him.
Prof Nkondo’s literary contributions are vast and impactful. He delivered a number of keynote addresses and conference papers; authored and co-edited books, and published many chapters and opinion pieces in various peer reviewed journals and newspapers, offering insights that have guided and inspired many. His most recent book was published by Unisa Press in 2021 while he was a board member at Freedom Park, entitled Social Memory as a Force for Social and Economic Transformation, in which he also contributed two chapters, one on “The Political Economy and Ethics of Global Solidarity in Covid 19”. In 2017, a chapter on “Ubuntu as a public policy in South Africa: A conceptual Framework” was published in the International Journal of African Renaissance Studies; in 2016, he contributed “Encountering ‘the people’ in public decision spaces” in the ANC Umrabulo Journal; in 2016, he was one of the co-editors in State of the Nation South Africa 2016: Who is in Charge? Published by the HSRC. In 2015, he wrote a chapter on “The works of Wally Mongane Serote: The Quest for a supreme literary form” published by Unisa Press Journals in Literary Studies; This contribution demonstrated his ability to translate complex ideas into accessible language, engaging the public in meaningful dialogue on critical issues.
At Sapience Strategy Foundation NPC, together with Ms Tembeka Ngcebetsha-Mooij, our Project Manager, I was privileged to have him as co-collator and co-editor. His intellectual leadership was instrumental in the conceptualization of The South African Handbook of Agency, Freedom, and Justice: Citizens in Conversation, a publication that stands as a monument to his vision and his unwavering belief in the power of knowledge in driving change towards a more equitable society. His insights, his relentless pursuit of truth, and his dedication to the principles enshrined in the Constitution were the driving forces behind the themes explored in this three volume compendium scheduled to be launched in October of this year.
He not only put together a diverse team of thought leaders, scholars, and practitioners who brought this work to life, but also contributed an introduction and three chapters that bear the hallmark of his deep thinking and profound insight. I am truly honoured to have had the privilege to contribute and co-edit a publication of this monumental stature with him. For him, this work was not just another publication, it was the culmination of his life's journey, a reflection of his deep commitment to fostering a society where justice and freedom are realized through the active agency of its citizens. The compendium will be published in October 2024. It is with deep regret that he did not live to see the launch of this groundbreaking publication.
In his passing, we have lost a great mind and a compassionate soul. But we take solace in the fact that his legacy will live on, in the institutions he helped to shape, in the policies he helped to craft, and in the lives he touched. Prof. Nkondo's life reminds us all that the pursuit of knowledge is noble, but the application of that knowledge to better the world is divine.
In his memory, let us strive to embrace and disseminate the principles he held dear—justice, freedom, equity, and the relentless pursuit of knowledge for the betterment of society. Let us honour his life by continuing the projects he initiated, and by ensuring that his legacy of wisdom, kindness, diligence and dedication endures for generations to come.
We are all better for having known him, and it is now our responsibility to strive to carry forward the torch that Prof. Nkondo has passed on to us. May we carry forward the values and vision he so passionately championed.
In the lyrics of a song composed by the prodigious, Dr SJ Khosa:
“Deeds speak, they speak in a language; a language that is understood by everyone. Be still; deeds themselves shall speak.”
Prof your deeds have spoken. They shall continue to speak. Let the nations be still. Deeds themselves shall speak.
Prof. Nkondo, you were a guiding light in my life and in the lives of so many others. Your influence will never fade, and your memory will forever inspire us to reach higher, think deeper, and live with purpose.
Rest in peace, Prof. Nkondo. Your legacy will never be forgotten.
Thank you.