Ms Nkhangweleni Phalanndwa, sister of struggle veteran and fiery unionist, the late Kennedy Phalanndwa, said her brother was lonely before his passing away.

Phalanndwa (57) of Makwarela died a fortnight ago and was buried at Mbaleni last week. His funeral followed a memorial service held at the AME Church at Makwarela.

Phalanndwa, who worked tirelessly as a trade unionist, died a very poor man who depended on handouts from friends and assistance from the local home based care unit. During his funeral service, all the structures he served in arrived in their numbers with his face pasted on their shirts.

Speakers who addressed the funeral attendees, blamed the affairs of the ANC of late as having contributed to him dying in poverty. Former ANC Limpopo Provincial secretary turned businessman, Mr Benny Boshielo, said he knew Phalanndwa as a fearless fighter for justice. “I have known him for 26 years and he consistently worked tirelessly for the improvement of the lives of his people. “We will miss him dearly,” he said.

Nkhangweleni said her brother lived alone and never married. “He was only committed to politics and to help his fellow-men and nothing else,” she said. According to her he was a quiet person, who only confided to his comrades.

“He lived for his comrades and they are the ones who know him better. We are very proud of his selfless contributions in his community,” she said.

Phalanndwa was born on 16 June 1957. He was an ANC organiser in 1994 and later served a term as a member of the Limpopo Provincial legislature and later as a councillor. He later became an organiser for Nehawu.