The southern KwaZulu-Natal local municipality of Ubuhlebezwe has finally been renamed after the late Johannes Phumani “Pass Four” Phungula, the former Umkhonto Wesizwe (ANC’s military wing in exile) commander who led former president Jacob Zuma in exile during the struggle for freedom.
The renaming process took place on Tuesday in the municipality’s headquarters in the picturesque town of Ixopo.
Long-proposed name
ANC convener of the provincial task team in KwaZulu-Natal Jeff Radebe presided over the process. Speaking to the media after the renaming was officially concluded, Radebe said that as the ANC in the province, they are pleased that the municipality has finally taken the long-proposed name as its official name.
“As the ANC in KwaZulu-Natal, we are pleased that the municipality has been named after our hero, Johannes ‘Pass Four’ Phungula. A man who played a critical role in the fight for freedom as he joined the struggle in 1952 during the defiance. And he got arrested while fighting for women’s rights.
“He served two years [in jail] and when he was released he found that the ANC had been banned. Then he left for Russia to be trained as a commander of Umkhonto Wesizwe,” Radebe said, further heaping Phungula with praise.
Among Phungula’s achievements, Radebe said he was behind the burial sites within the Solomon Mahlangu Freedom College in Tanzania. The institution was recently visited by former President Thabo Mbeki.
Former ANC MP
Other than being a former MK commander, Phungula was also a former ANC MP. He sadly passed away in August 2009, a few months after assuming his seat in Cape Town. He hails from the Phungula clan found in Ixopo.
Speaking at Phungula’s funeral in August 2009, Zuma narrated how Phungula got the “Pass Four” nickname. He said Phungula would tell freedom fighters that the best time to attack an enemy is after 4pm. That is when they are relaxed and preparing to sleep.
Other than their close political relationship, Zuma and Phungula enjoyed a close personal relationship. When Zuma married his former wife, Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma in exile, Phungula was Umkhongi (leader of the lobola delegation).
In May 2009, when Zuma was sworn in as the president in Pretoria, Phungula was among Zuma’s VVIP guests.
Phungula was also the brain behind the idea of the National Cultural Liberation Movement. It was the body from which the present IFP (Inkatha Freedom Party) was born. Its aim was a multi-structural approach, for freedom using cultural formations.
