Brett Kebble’s funeral was reminiscent of the Eighties. With the flag-draped coffin, the national anthem reverberating through St George’s Cathedral and a guard of honour by the African National Congress Youth League, his life ended in a struggle send-off.
Tuesday’s congregation reflected the reach of the man, dubbed ”umlungu wethu [our white man]”, into the world of new South Africa politics and business: from the ANC Youth League, including its president Fikile Mbalula and its business cohorts, and black economic empowerment power players such as Bridgette Radebe and Saki Makozoma; to Mo Shaik, brother of ANC deputy president Jacob Zuma’s former financial adviser; and fraud convict Schabir Shaik.
Members of the ANC Youth League were Kebble’s pallbearers. He had become their lifebuoy and patron.
The Presidency sent Essop Pahad. In personal remarks, he spoke of many private conversations with Kebble, suggesting that, while the mining magnate was seen as former deputy president Jacob Zuma’s man, he parlayed his influence across ANC factions.
Had Kebble (41) lived, he would certainly have featured in the machinations of the 2007 ANC national conference in which the leadership succession will be settled. His support of Zuma recently gave rise to speculation he was helping to fund the defence for the trial, which starts next week.
”Because he [Kebble] supported and embraced those of the wrong colour who also happen to be members of the dominant party, he was called a corruptor …” said Andile Nkuhlu, a suave youth league business ÂÂassociate.
”In a world where what is black is still suspect, marginal, less credible, having Brett on your side makes a world of difference,” he added, revealing how Kebble has served as a bridge between white and black capital.
His funeral service brought out an eclectic range of attendees from the old and new elites, including property doyenne Pam Golding, rugby player James Dalton, fashion designer Olla Shakur and his business partner Dali Tambo.
The new business establishment was out in force, many of whom had benefited from Kebble’s support: Tokyo Sexwale was helped years ago to set himself up in business, as were Mafika Mkwanazi, Lunga Ncwana, Sharif Pandor, Songezo Mjongile and Iqbal Surve. Chris Nissen, a cleric and businessman, delivered the homily.
And, in a symbol of the merger between business and politics, the funeral was also attended by Western Cape Premier Ebrahim Rasool, Cape Town mayor Nomaindia Mfeketo, Limpho Hani, ex-ANC chief whip and fraud convict Tony Yengeni, a clutch of ANC MPs, chief whip Mbulelo Goniwe and Parliament’s Speaker Baleka Mbete.
But, unlike the struggle funerals of the Eighties, when T-shirts were the order of the day, sexy dark sunglasses were de rigueur for the men. Some women braved the Cape winds to attend in big black hats.