The Funeral of Moses Kotane

Moses Kotane was buried at the Novodevichy Cemetery in Moscow at mid-day on Friday, May 26. His funeral was attended by a large crowd of mourners, comprising former colleagues in the Communist Party and the African National Congress, African students in the Soviet Union, political workers and academics with whom he had had contact on his many visits to Moscow and even some nurses from the hospital where he had spent the last years of his life. Some of the mourners had travelled from distant parts of Africa and Europe to attend the ceremony, though the only member of Moses' family who was able to arrive in time was his son Joseph, a student in Budapest, Hungary.

The funeral proceedings took part in two stages. The first took place in a small hall attached to the hospital mortuary where Moses Kotane lay in state in an open coffin banked with flowers and a magnificent collection of wreaths sent by fraternal organisations and some of his former comrades.

A wreath from the Central Committee of the South African Communist Party bore the message: "In memory of Moses Kotane, South Africa's greatest Communist Party and ANC leader, an outstanding fighter for national and social emancipation".

Another wreath said simply:

"To dear Comrade Moses Kotane, general secretary of the South African Communist Party, from the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union".

A wreath sent by the National Executive of the African National Congress stated:

"To Comrade Moses Kotane, courageous and beloved leader of the oppressed people. Hamba Kahle Malume".

Other wreaths bore personal messages, including one stating simply: "Mayibuye".

Only a limited number of mourners had access to the hall, and they stood in silence for several minutes, their minds full of memories of their departed comrade. It was hard to believe that a man so vigorous and positive in life was now silenced by death, though as he lay in his coffin his face bore that familiar expression of defiance with which he had faced his enemies throughout his long and stormy career in politics.

From the mortuary hall, the coffin was carried in a vehicle, specially designed so that three or four of his comrades could accompany him on the journey, to the cemetery, where the main body of mourners were waiting in the central square. Here, with the body still lying in the open coffin, all those present paid their last respects to Moses Kotane, and the funeral orations were delivered by Dr. Yusuf Dadoo, national chairman of the South African Communist Party; Oliver Tambo, President of the African National Congress; and R. Ulyanovsky, Deputy Head of the International Department of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union.

With fists clenched in the ANC salute, the mourners sang the national anthem "Nkosi Sikelel'i Afrika", followed by a number of freedom songs. The coffin was then closed and carried on the shoulders of his former comrades-in-arms to another corner of the cemetery, where a grave had been dug. As the body was lowered into the grave, a Soviet military band crashed out the opening chords of the "Internationale" - the tune whose words and music had accompanied Kotane throughout his career in politics and most vividly expressed the brotherhood of man for which he had been fighting. Once again, the mourners joined in the singing, sending Kotane on the last journey with the pledge to carry on the struggle to which he had contributed so much until final victory was won and South Africa was totally liberated.

Novodevichy Cemetery, on the banks of the Moscow River and next to the fabulously domed Novodevichy Convent, now a branch of the history museum, is the resting place of many of the Soviet Union's most famous sons and daughters. Here lies buried too J.B. Marks, the former ANC leader and national chairman of the SACP who predeceased Moses Kotane in 1972.

Most of the graves are surmounted by a bust of the deceased, and on a walk through the cemetery it requires only a small flight of fancy to imagine oneself in the physical presence of the most famous figures in the history of the Soviet Union. J.B. Mark's grave already has its bust, and in due course so too will that of Moses Kotane. For the time being his grave is surmounted by a framed portrait.

Moses Kotane was an internationally known and respected leader of the South African liberation movement, and memorial meetings in his honour were held in many centres - in London and Lusaka, in Toronto and Soweto. Those who worked with him will never forget him. At lunch in a Moscow hotel after the funeral, some of Kotane's intimates recalled their past association with him, reminding one another of his firmness and vigour, his warmth and loyalty, his sense of humour and fun, gathering together all those memories of the good things in his life whose memory they will cherish forever.