Beloved businessman remembered

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GRAAFF-REINET NEWS - Family and long-time friends recently gathered in Graaff-Reinet to honour one of the town's unsung heroes, businessman and benefactor, Richard Themba Jacobs, who died 25 years ago.

At the ceremony held on 1 April to unveil their father's new tombstone as the original had been vandalised, tribute was paid to Jacobs at his family home in Royal Block in Masizakhe before moving on to the old graveyard at the entrance to Kroonvale.

PHOTO GALLERY: Unsung hero, businessman and benefactor, Richard Themba Jacobs

"Your immense operational, financial and many more contributions to the political liberation of our people, especially in Graaff-Reinet, shall not be forgotten. You were the most prosperous black businessman in Graaff-Reinet, and unreservedly supported the struggle," read a banner.

Jacobs - known as "Oom Rhi" - helped many comrades in the 1980s to get to Lesotho to join uMkhonto we Sizwe (MK), the paramilitary wing of the ANC.

Escape

"Oom Rhi assisted us financially; helped us escape from the security police; and arranged transport for our travels," said Archie Ntswayi.

"One night in 1985 we were at Oom Rhi's house when the police came looking for us. Oom Rhi went outside and this gave us time to escape through the window. We ran to the Luzipho Congregational Church in Masizakhe and asked reverend Moses Madlwabinga for a hiding place.

"He agreed without hesitation, and we spent the night under the stage in the church hall. The following day we asked him to take us to Lesotho, but unfortunately, his car's tyres weren't roadworthy and we feared we would be stopped on the way because of the worn tyres and arrested."

Reverend Madlwabinga then approached his confidant, Richard Jacobs, who arranged transport and fuel and planned an escape route.

Ntswayi was one of 12 men who secured a seat, and only one of two of the group still alive today - the other survivor is Vuyisile Mndwane.

Ntswayi thanked his old friend for the sacrifices he made in the 80s and 90s. He said the question remains: "How can Oom Rhi be better remembered?"

Died too young

The community was left reeling in shock when Jacobs, who was born in 1946, died in 1998 at the age of just 52 in a car accident on his way to Gqeberha. The reason for this fatal trip was to do yet another good deed - to buy musical instruments for a local band that showed promise.

Reverend Clement Madeley, a long-time friend of Jacobs, praised Jacob's family and children for restoring his tombstone to glory.

"We have to remember those who left before us. Richard is not a person who can easily be forgotten as he made an indelible mark on many lives."

He said Jacobs was always reading. "He had piles of books ranging from literature, politics, business, economics and history. He liked to travel South Africa and had also been to Zimbabwe, Tanzania, Lesotho and Singapore.

"He was a brilliant businessman with a sharp brain for politics. He owned shops and a lot of property. Richard assisted churches, schools and sport in his community. He also helped a lot of students to register for university. It is an honour to speak here today."

Confidant

Reverend Madlwabinga, who now lives in Uitenhage, says Jacobs was his confidant and could be trusted implicitly to keep a secret. "Richard helped a lot of children of Graaff-Reinet get an education. He as an approachable person who still had great dreams for his business interests and wanted to see black-owned businesses grow.

"The question remains: how can we remember him better?" the reverend asked.

Gladys Pase, who spoke on behalf of the family, said her cousin had beautiful manners. "He built up his thriving business from scratch. Every family member benefited from Richard's wealth. He looked after his family and community."

Reverends Madeley and Madlwabinga blessing the tombstone. Photos: Neco Bokwe