Oom John

Fear, deprivation, sexual assault and hunger: these are the bed fellows of our local killing fields in Gauteng.

“On the 12th June 2023, John Makola was shot twice whilst trying to intervene in a robbery.”

And one of Johannesburg’s monuments to historic subjugation and ongoing political corruption is the informal settlement of Diepsloot, north of the city. No-one is quite sure how many people live in this 5km² township, but some estimates are as high as 350 000.

“John died in hospital on the 18th June 2023”.

I know Diepsloot well – as a member of an international Catholic charity, St Vincent de Paul (SSVP), I have been visiting the informal settlement for over 15 years. So, when a colleague phoned me on Father’s Day to tell me of John’s passing, I wept. I cried for the big, strong man who took immense pride in keeping his community safe – and I sobbed because we had all lost a good friend.

On hearing of John’s death, Diepsloot spat out flames of anger and cried endless tears of frustration: the whole township shuddered with sadness for one of their own who had cared so deeply. And in their grief the community begged and pleaded for Mr Ramaphosa to go to Diepsloot and discuss the horrific levels of crime.

He never went.

And John’s body was returned home for his funeral, and life has resumed.

But you know what? We are all going to die, some of us very suddenly, many slipping away surrounded by loved ones. And some of us will die alone and abandoned. But when Oom John passed away, a huge community rose up in their collective distress, remembering and honouring him for the man he had been. Hundreds bowed their heads as his casket passed by. He was recognised. And surely, that is something worth celebrating?

So, Oom John, we are going to miss you like crazy, but, wow, well done on a life lived splendidly! We are so proud of you!

Rest in peace.