The Legendary Jeremiah Mdaka

The Legendary Jeremiah Mdaka

(left: Jeremiah Ngoni Mdaka and his wife Mrs Mdaka on the right)

The month of July is known to South Africans as Mandela month with the 18^th Marking Mandela Day (Nelson Mandela’s Birthday) which is celebrated worldwide. As a proud resident of Emalahleni I think it is only fair that we celebrate one of our very own Legends, Jeremiah Ngoni Mdaka.

Born on the 10^th February 1918, the same birth year as Nelson Mandela’s. Jeremiah Ngoni Mdaka is 99 years old and I was shocked to learn that he still has a valid driver’s license.

In 1945 Jeremiah Mdaka arrived in Emalahleni where he met Mr khoza whom at that time initiated a political organization that was a mouthpiece for the Shaangan tribe called Gazankulu. The organization consisted of Departments and the Ishimoku (Shaangan meaning for Gorvermnent) became very close to Jeremiah’s heart.

Jeremiah joined and overtime rose through the ranks of the Gazankulu Organization and was made Vice Chairman and through his efforts the Ishimoko adopted a more radical education based programme. The organization fought to have a school that will have Shangaan as a home language. Schools in Witbank then only taught Zulu and Pedi as home language. The school was organized in 1983 and Itireleng Primary School accommodated them, they received 1 class for Shangaan, when the numbers grew they moved to Khayalethu and they later moved to Emsagweni near Vosman.

Mr Mdaka continued attending meetings in and out of the city to get the school running. He approached mines seeking sponsorship to build the school. Ellerines Furnishers funded the initiative and Jeremiah Mdaka Primary School was built in 1985. “Education is vital for communicating, careers and the growth of the economy and every nation with these words I say get yourself educated my kids,” said Jeremiah Mdaka.