8 February 2005 Press Release A CIVIC FUNERAL SERVICE FOR COUNCILLOR SEGONE Councillor Oupa Segone is to be given a Civic funeral at the Uncle Toms Hall in Orlando West ­ Soweto on Saturday 12 February2005. The cortege will proceed to Avalon Cemetery where Cllr Segone will finally be laid to rest at 11am. Special Council for Cllr Segone will be held in the city on Wednesday, 09 February 2005, in the Council Chamber at 10am and the Memoral service in Uncle Tom's hall at 5:30 pm. Councillor Segone was called to higher service at the age of 46 on Thursday, 3 February 2005 after a short illness. His death has left a vacuum to the Council fraternity, members of the community and particularly from his fellow colleague, Cllr Isaac Padi of ward 40 who describe him as "one of the tested cadre's to be deployed by the ANC." "He was a very polite person. Even at Council meetings he was not argumentative but would always pursue the matter his way. He was very committed to serving his community," he said. Cllr Segone is a product of 1976 student uprising. His introduction to politics came almost accidentally through his brother who at that point was an activist. Cllr Segone frequently visited Lesotho and during one of his visits he decided to stay there and joined the exile political structures. He secretly returned to South Africa with a clear mandate - to develop the underground structures of the then banned movement (ANC). As an organiser his brief dealt with the formation of cells through which the revolution would spread. In 1978 in pursuance of his mandate, he was detained following the exposure of his activities to the authorities. He was charged for aiding a banned organisation, this subsequently landed him in Robben Island as a detainee in 1980. Whilst in the Island, his legal representatives appealed his case and he was later freed. He returned to Soweto, Johannesburg to continue the mandate and contributed in the formation of the local structures of the United Democratic Front (UDF). In 1992 he served as the member of the African National Congress Youth League ANCLY. In 1995 he became a branch member of the ANC executive in Dube. From 1996 to 1999 he served as a secretary of the Albertina Sisulu Foundation. He was elected ward councillor of ward 38 in the City of Johannesburg in 2000 and served in the Development Planning, Transportation and Environment portfolio committee. Eternal rest give unto his soul Oh Lord, May He rest in peace Ends Nthatisi Modingoane Media Liaison Officer CITY OF JOHANNESBURG Tel: (011) 407 7354 Fax: 403 3494 Cell: 082 467 9228 E-mail: nthatisem@joburg.org.za For more information about this wonderful City of ours, please visit our website : www.joburg.org.za