The late Jeff Marishane known as Bra Jeff
By Mzwandile Masondo, Thaninga Shope Soumah and Ntathu Ndaba
It is with a deep sense of sadness, but also with immense gratitude, that we say farewell to our dear friend and elder brother, Jeff.
Cde Jeff was part of the first group of ten ANC students who were sent to Cuba in the late 1976, following the generation of ANC Veterans who had studied there in the early 1960s.
Upon our arrival in Cuba, we were taken to a clinic for comprehensive medical examinations.
The importance placed on our health and well-being was evident from the very beginning.
Following our medical examinations, we proceeded to the Pepito Mendoza, Language School, where we began learning Spanish.
It was a particularly interesting and enriching experience, as the school brought together students from various countries who were also learning the Spanish language.
Among them were students from Guinea-Bissau, Cabo Verde, Mauritius, Vietnam, Laos, the Republic of Congo, and several other countries.
After several months of intensive Spanish language studies, the ten of us went our separate ways to pursue different levels of education.
Some were sent to secondary schools, others to pre-university programmes, while some proceeded directly to universities.
Jeff was among those who went directly to university, marking the beginning of an important chapter in his educational journey Cuba.
Jeff studied History at the University in 12 y Malecón, in Habana, where he graduated with a MSc.
In 1979, a large group of young South African students arrived in Habana.
By then, Jeff had gained valuable experience of life and studying in the country.
He played an instrumental role in welcoming and accommodating the new arrivals, guiding them through their initial experiences and helping them to settle into life in Cuba.
His willingness to assist and share his knowledge made him an important source of support to those who came after the first group.
However, his contribution to our lives extended far beyond his academic achievements.
As one of the elder students in our group, and having arrived in Cuba before some of us, Jeff naturally became a source of guidance and wisdom. He would regularly visit us at the Language School, Pepito Mendoza, and those visits meant much more to us than he probably realised at the time.
Cde Jeff was instrumental in helping us understand the economic and social realities of Cuba in which we were living.
He constantly reminded us why we were there and, most importantly, urged us never to lose sight of the struggle we had left behind in South Africa.
Many of us were only teenagers then, far away from home and navigating a completely unfamiliar environment. Cde Jeff became our big brother in every sense of the word.
He guided us, advised us, challenged us when necessary, and helped us remain focused on the greater purpose of our journey.
His leadership and commitment also extended beyond our personal lives.
Cde Jeff was among the first Executive Committee members of the South African Student Union, contributing to the organisation and unity of South African students in Cuba.
Today, as we bid him farewell, we remember not only the student, the scholar and the leader, but also the caring elder brother who watched over many of us during an important and formative chapter of our lives.
Cde Jeff, your footprints are deeply embedded in our collective memories.
The lessons you shared, the conversations we had, and the sense of responsibility you instilled in us have remained with us through the years.
We thank you for being there when we needed guidance, for reminding us of who we were and why we were there, and for helping to shape the young people we were becoming.
Rest peacefully, dear Jeff.
Your journey with us may have come to an end, but your memory, your wisdom and the role you played in our lives will remain with us.
Farewell, our dear brother.
You will be remembered with love, respect and profound gratitude.
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