By Nelvis Qekema
The Azanian People’s Organisation (AZAPO) is deeply saddened by the passing of Cde Tumelo Moea from Ga-Kgosi Galeshewe.

As a leader of AZAPO’s tertiary student wing, AZASCO, Cde Moea made an immeasurable contribution to the liberation struggle.

Between 1999 and 2000, he led AZASCO as chairperson at the then Free State Technikon (now Central University of Technology).

He later moved to the then Peninsula Technikon (now Cape Peninsula University of Technology), where he also led AZASCO as chairperson in 2002.

In his role as a student leader, Cde Moea fought against such things as financial exclusion and discrimination against Black students.

During this period, he also formed part of the conferences on the mergers and incorporation of higher education institutions.

This conferences led to the reconfiguration of our country’s higher education landscape and the creation of what is today referred to as Universities of Technology.

It is therefore no exxagaration to state that, many of today’s young Black professionals, who used to study at TECHOFS and PENTECH, owe Cde Moea and his generation of student leaders, an incalculable debt of gratitude.

He was also respected within AZAPO and made very insightful contributions at AZAPO’s provincial and national Congresses.

One of his memorable moments was the role he played at AZAPO’s 2002 National Congress at Sinodale Centre in Tshwane.

We will also remember Cde Moea for the role he played as part of the Committee that hosted the first joint AZAYO-AZASCO Congress at the University of Free State in 1999.

Cde Moea was an industrious, resourceful and deeply intellectual black consciousness activist, who had a fascination for ideas and loved reading.

We also miss his inviting smile, warm personality and generosity of spirit.

On behalf of AZAPO, I wish to salute Cde Moea’s for his contribution to the struggle for black dignity.

I also wish to convey our heartfelt condolences to his family (in particular his wife, Sis’Palesa and children, Khanya, Betsho, Namolelo), friends and colleagues.

Qekema is the President of the Azanian People’s Organisation (AZAPO)