The African People’s Democratic Union of Southern Africa (APDUSA) wishes to express its deepest condolences to the Modise family on the loss of our dear Comrade Jerry Mofokeng Modise. APDUSA also pays tribute to the contribution of Comrade Jerry to the liberation struggle in South Africa.
Comrade Jerry joined the APDUSA during the 1990’s and remained a loyal and dedicated member until his sudden passing. His training and many years of experience as a healthcare worker made him a deeply sensitive person who was attuned the conditions of the working class and landless peasantry under this capitalist government. He realised that the plight of poor can only be resolved under socialism. He therefore became committed to fight for the democratic demands and aspirations of the working class and landless peasantry.
Many of us will remember Comrade Jerry as a soft-spoken and an infectiously friendly personality who took a keen interest in the well-being of his comrades. He was a great listener and deep thinker who enjoyed in-depth political discussions with his comrades to clarify ideas on key political questions confronting the oppressed and exploited majority. Yes, he was a man of few words. But he had this unique wit to extract humour from observing life in a capitalist society burdened by social injustices, repression, the criminalisation of anti-poverty protests and obscene levels of corruption among politicians and their capitalist masters. Behind Cde Jerry’s calm and joyful personality, we encountered a steadfast revolutionary fighter and loyal APDUSAN, always ready to represent our Northern Cape Branch in the national forums of our organisation.
Comrade Jerry played an important role in rebuilding the APDUSA as a national organisation in the Northern Cape. He spread the views of APDUSA as far and wide as Kimberley, Upington, Kuruman and Olifantshoek.
His sensitivity was also felt within the organisation. Many times comrade Jerry would intervene to bring calm to heated debates between comrades. He would remind us of the need to build unity within the organisation.
What mattered to him were progressive political principles; not fame and fortune! He was not taken in by the fanfare and superficial enticements of the so-called New South Africa, based on a backdoor compromise between racist regime and handpicked black elites. He grasped the necessity for the self-organisation of the labouring majority on the basis of a programme for eco-socialist democracy to guide our fight to liberate society.
Long live the spirit of Comrade Jerry Mofokeng Modise! Viva APDUSA!