He was there on time, what an example it is for all the other guests who arrived an hour or more late.
This humble man greeted everybody and much to my surprise, he recognised me.
He might not have known my name, but he immediately knew that I was from the Addie.
The honourable guess, welcomed me and everyone else.
He sat in a comfortable white chair and so was his wife Dudu Magangane.
His three daughters Phumba Zondo, Pahtiswa and Yolishwa Magangane and sons, Luyolo and Malizo Magangane sat at the table next to their parents.
Each of his children was given the chance to say something about their father.
The girls praised him for always being there for them, for teaching them how to respect each other and for the example he has set.
But what stood out for me are Luyolo’s words.
“My father taught me how to be a man and to respect a woman by setting the example at home.
“He never argued with my mother and never said anything bad about her,” he said.
This is an example for young and old.
What stands out when I think back to the event, is the man’s religion and his love for people.
When he started the KwaThema Youth Choir in 1997 he was still a student, but yet the passion for music and people made him, under the circumstances at the township, never lose hope or faith.
One of his young students from yesteryear Charles Lesia asked Ludumo if he still remembers the three fingers he always put up during choir practice.
As soon as Charles had his fingers in the air, Ludumo’s fingers were up as well.
“Count your blessings, count them one by one.”
He said to the youth choir members it doesn’t matter what your circumstances are, count your blessings.
How many of us complain about what we do not have or about our circumstances while there are people out there with less than what we have.
The last time I listened to a choral music was when my children were still at school and mu daughter a member of the school choir.
The Gauteng Opera members were something old, the multi-colour group’s voice melting together.
Ludumo accepted the awards and were the microphone was handed over to him before the end of the function.
This religious man gave all the honour to God and left the crowd with the following words:
“We must appreciate our gift from God as no-one was given the same talent and don’t try to be someone else.”
That is something to think about and an event to be remembered for a long time.
