“Basimane was also a chaplain at Sol Plaatje Municipality. He was never shy to conduct his ministerial duties or getting people closer to God”
“A MAN of God who died while conducting his Godly duties.”
This is how the majority of messages of condolence conveyed to the family of Reverend Basimane Obakeng Jackals on social media posts read yesterday.
Jackals died after he was rushed to the Kuruman Hospital after he collapsed while preaching during a church service on Sunday morning.
According to his aunt, Mpho Mabille, the family is still processing his death and are not certain what the cause was.
Mabille described Jackals as a dependable leader who had a passion for spreading the gospel.
“Basie, as he was affectionately known, started his career in ministry at the age of 20. After completing high school, he attended RR Wright Theological Seminary and started pastoring straight after completing his studies. He was the presiding-elder of the African Methodist Epicoscopal Church (AME) and the pastor of the AME church in Kathu. He has since that time been preaching in various places across the Province.
“Basimane was also a chaplain at Sol Plaatje Municipality. He was never shy to conduct his ministerial duties or getting people closer to God,” said Mabille.
She added that Jackals was also a very good singer. “He studied music at university. It was at university where he met his wife. He loved to sing and had a beautiful voice,” she smiled.
A friend and colleague of the deceased, Reverend Thapelo Mogashoa, said he will remember Jackals for his selflessness.
“Basie was a very vibrant and good preacher. He loved smart things. For as long as I had known him, I have never seen him angry. He was a great problem solver and good support to all. One of my fondest memories I will hold dear of him was during the time I was involved in a car accident in 2015 and Basie travelled from Klerksdorp to come and see me. He was a very considerate person,” said Mogashoa.
Sol Plaatje Municipality spokesperson Sello Matsie, said that Jackals would be sorely missed.
“Reverend Jackals was a very active employee. He would on numerous times be requested to open the council meeting with a prayer. During these times he would selflessly pray not only for the well-being and guidance of the leaders in the municipality, but also that of the city. He was also very active in the municipal sporting codes. We will miss him for his hard work and dedication as he was not only a chaplain but also involved in the municipal call centre,” said Matsie.
“We want to extend our condolences to his family and friends as we have lost a very inspirational individual who was in the prime of his life. We will be having a memorial service for the deceased on Thursday.”
The Office of the Premier also joined those who sent a message of condolence to the family. The spokesperson for the premier, Bronwyn Thomas-Abrahams, described Jackals as a well-known public servant, religious and community leader.
“The Premier of the Northern Cape, Dr Zamani Saul, on behalf of the provincial government and the people of the Province, expresses his heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of the deceased. The passing of this outstanding leader is a great loss to the people of the Northern Cape Province as a whole. His contribution to improving the lives of the communities he served will be remembered and will form part of the rich legacy he leaves behind,” said Thomas-Abrahams.
Jackals will be buried in Warrenton on Saturday.
