Date: 31/01/2005
Source: Ministry of Defence
Title: George: Funeral of Rocklyn Williams
Address of the Deputy Minister of Defence, Mr Mluleki George, MP, on the occasion of the funeral of Rocklyn Williams, Johannesburg
31 January 2005
Programme Director
Family and friends of Rocky Williams
Members of government
Officers and officials of the Department of Defence
Ladies and Gentlemen
An ancient philosopher once said: No man is an island entirely to himself. Every mans death diminishes me, because I am part of mankind. Another one said that a meaningful life is the one lived to the fullest and in service of others. While another wise person, who twenty-one centuries after his death still, has billions of people following him, said that there is no greater love than to lay down your life for your friends.
There is no doubt that Colonel Rocky Williams realised the meaning of these words and did justice to their wisdom. What he was able to achieve in such a short span of life take other people more years and others never even come close.
Who was Rocky Williams and what was his significance?
His closest comrades during and after the attainment of freedom and democracy in South Africa describe him as a teacher, an academic, and a soldier amongst others.
While all these titles are true with regard to Rocky, I would go further and say that he was more than just an academic and a teacher. An academic is someone who lectures and sometimes do research at an institution of higher learning. Rocky did all that but went beyond. He was what Gramsci referred to as an "organic intellectual". He used his education and knowledge not simply as tools to make wealth for himself and to raise his status, but to uplift those who were less fortunate than he.
On his return from exile he continued his studies and also his academic life. The organic intellectual that he was, Rocky continued to work unceasingly with others to shape the type of defence force that would befit the new and democratic South Africa. The aim was to create an institution that would not resemble the old SADF, which was a source of suffering to the people of this country and its neighbours. It was therefore by no mean feat that he was one of the founding members of the Defence Secretariat and the new Ministry of Defence in a free and democratic South Africa.
The Defence Review, in which he played a significant role in its coordination and formulation under Ministerial guidance, forms part of his legacy for which he will always be remembered. He also used his knowledge and experience to assist a number of southern African countries with the challenges of defence management during these countries' transition to democracy. Through this he highlighted the critical importance of Civil-Military Relations, a subject that was very close to his heart. This also saw him establish his own outfit, the African Centre for Civil-Military Relations, ACMR a year ago.
I should be forgiven to say that Rocky was more than a soldier. Many who knew him would agree when I say that he was a warrior in the mould of Ngungunyane, Bhambata, Hintsa, Nyabela, Makhado, Sekhukhune, Moshoeshoe and many other traditional kings and ordinary villagers who saw the defence and protection of their peoples as a duty worth risking their lives for.
An ordinary soldier carries out his or her function as another job for which a salary at the end of the month is the main objective. On the other hand, a soldier who is a warrior and patriot regards it as a calling, something from which one cannot turn away. This is how Rocky should be remembered.
During the time when it was less than fashionable, but extremely dangerous for anyone, especially a White person to support the liberation movement, Rocky, as a young man, risked his life by working underground for the African National Congress against the apartheid state. He can be said that he did not, as an academic, only talk the talk, but he, as a revolutionary intellectual, also walked the talk.
He was arrested and tortured for his activities and had to go to exile to preserve his life. He, however, never gave up the struggle but continued to serve as an operative of uMkhonto we Sizwe and continued to risk his life in missions within the country.
We cannot reflect on the life of Rocky without also reflecting on the society and country he helped to shape. Our nation is in the process of winding up the anniversary celebrations of South Africa,
Source: Ministry of Defence
Title: George: Funeral of Rocklyn Williams
Address of the Deputy Minister of Defence, Mr Mluleki George, MP, on the occasion of the funeral of Rocklyn Williams, Johannesburg
31 January 2005
Programme Director
Family and friends of Rocky Williams
Members of government
Officers and officials of the Department of Defence
Ladies and Gentlemen
An ancient philosopher once said: No man is an island entirely to himself. Every mans death diminishes me, because I am part of mankind. Another one said that a meaningful life is the one lived to the fullest and in service of others. While another wise person, who twenty-one centuries after his death still, has billions of people following him, said that there is no greater love than to lay down your life for your friends.
There is no doubt that Colonel Rocky Williams realised the meaning of these words and did justice to their wisdom. What he was able to achieve in such a short span of life take other people more years and others never even come close.
Who was Rocky Williams and what was his significance?
His closest comrades during and after the attainment of freedom and democracy in South Africa describe him as a teacher, an academic, and a soldier amongst others.
While all these titles are true with regard to Rocky, I would go further and say that he was more than just an academic and a teacher. An academic is someone who lectures and sometimes do research at an institution of higher learning. Rocky did all that but went beyond. He was what Gramsci referred to as an "organic intellectual". He used his education and knowledge not simply as tools to make wealth for himself and to raise his status, but to uplift those who were less fortunate than he.
On his return from exile he continued his studies and also his academic life. The organic intellectual that he was, Rocky continued to work unceasingly with others to shape the type of defence force that would befit the new and democratic South Africa. The aim was to create an institution that would not resemble the old SADF, which was a source of suffering to the people of this country and its neighbours. It was therefore by no mean feat that he was one of the founding members of the Defence Secretariat and the new Ministry of Defence in a free and democratic South Africa.
The Defence Review, in which he played a significant role in its coordination and formulation under Ministerial guidance, forms part of his legacy for which he will always be remembered. He also used his knowledge and experience to assist a number of southern African countries with the challenges of defence management during these countries' transition to democracy. Through this he highlighted the critical importance of Civil-Military Relations, a subject that was very close to his heart. This also saw him establish his own outfit, the African Centre for Civil-Military Relations, ACMR a year ago.
I should be forgiven to say that Rocky was more than a soldier. Many who knew him would agree when I say that he was a warrior in the mould of Ngungunyane, Bhambata, Hintsa, Nyabela, Makhado, Sekhukhune, Moshoeshoe and many other traditional kings and ordinary villagers who saw the defence and protection of their peoples as a duty worth risking their lives for.
An ordinary soldier carries out his or her function as another job for which a salary at the end of the month is the main objective. On the other hand, a soldier who is a warrior and patriot regards it as a calling, something from which one cannot turn away. This is how Rocky should be remembered.
During the time when it was less than fashionable, but extremely dangerous for anyone, especially a White person to support the liberation movement, Rocky, as a young man, risked his life by working underground for the African National Congress against the apartheid state. He can be said that he did not, as an academic, only talk the talk, but he, as a revolutionary intellectual, also walked the talk.
He was arrested and tortured for his activities and had to go to exile to preserve his life. He, however, never gave up the struggle but continued to serve as an operative of uMkhonto we Sizwe and continued to risk his life in missions within the country.
We cannot reflect on the life of Rocky without also reflecting on the society and country he helped to shape. Our nation is in the process of winding up the anniversary celebrations of South Africa,
Advertisement
EMAIL THIS ARTICLE SAVE THIS ARTICLE FEEDBACK
To subscribe email subscriptions@creamermedia.co.za or click here
To advertise email advertising@creamermedia.co.za or click here
