The community of Saselamani has celebrated the success of one of its sons, Collins |Chabane, who was recently appointed as Minister in the Presidency, dealing with monitoring and evaluating government departments in President Jacob Zuma’s government.

The community of Xikundu, where he comes from, held a big function in honour of the unassuming politician on Saturday. The chairperson of the Malamulele Business Forum, Dr Jan Nkuna, presented Chabane with a leopard skin. His said this showed Chabane’s character as a leader. “You do not fade. You are tenacious, and this is for the good of the country,” said Nkuna.

Accolades also came from the local traditional leader Chief John Xikundu, as well as the local ANC branch. Moses Maluleke, the chairperson of the Xikundu ANC branch, presented Chabane with a walking stick, which has on the one side a carving of Mr Nelson Mandela’s face. He was also given wooden drums as well as xylophones, because he is also a musician.

“When he left here, he was a soldier and we know his mentor is Madiba. We wanted to give him something which is in keeping with his passion,” said Maluleke.

In response to the tribute paid to him at Xikundu, Chabane he said he was humbled. He said when he left the country to join the ANC at the age of 17, he was helped by several families in Swaziland and Angola where he was working underground for the ANC’s military wing, Umkhonto weSizwe.

Limpopo premier Cassel Mathale said the province was blessed to have representatives like Chabane given major responsibilities in the National Assembly.

At the Louis Trichardt Show Grounds, a dance and braai was organised on Saturday evening to celebrate Chabane’s achievements.

Chabane and Mathale danced and joined by thousands of people who came from as far as North West and Gauteng.