Remembering Dr Hugo Nkabinde

Remembering Dr Hugo Nkabinde

On 7 July 1988, Dr Thamsanqa Blessing Fihlela (aka “Dr Hugo Nkabinde”) lost his life in an ambush in Angola, a few days after his 30th birthday. He died on duty, selflessly serving our heroic People’s Army, Umkhonto we Sizwe (MK). Blessing Fihlela was born in Chesterville, Durban, in 1958. He became politically active at a relatively early age, and was involved in many of the student struggles of the time, which culminated in the 1976 student uprisings. He did his high school education at KwaDlangezwa High School, following in the footsteps of Comrades Vusi Mavimbela (aka “Klaus Maphepha”) and Jabulani Nobleman Nxumalo (aka “Mzala”).

Overcoming all obstacles created by the apartheid system and its deplorable Bantu Education, he completed his matric and enrolled at Wentworth Medical School. During his second year, he was detained for seven months, spending most of it in solitary confinement for underground activities. After his release, he left the country, joined the African National Congress (ANC) and was sent to the Soviet Union to further his studies. Upon qualifying as a doctor, he returned to Africa and did his year’s internship in Tanzania, where he made many friends.

Dr Hugo then volunteered to join and serve in our army, Umkhonto we Sizwe, rejecting all the comforts of practicing elsewhere. In 1987, Dr Hugo Nkabinde arrived at Pango Camp, an Umkhonto we Sizwe (MK) camp in Angola, for a specialised military training course in Military and Combat Work (MCW) and Military Engineering. On his arrival, Nkabinde was already a qualified medical practitioner. The aim was for him to infiltrate back into the country where he could continue with his underground work. He im­mediately joined the medical team in the camp while undergoing training.

Upon completion of his training, he became the Medical Officer in the administration structure of the Northern Front in Quibaxe, in the north of Angola, around March 1988. The Northern Front was a military campaign that MK conducted in Angola. This came as a result of the fact that MK had a number of military camps in the northern part of Angola, in Quibaxe, including training camps. There was only one main supply route from Luanda, the MK Headquarters, and Quibaxe in the north. This route was crucial for supplies to the camps in the north as well as for the general population.

The National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA) rebels, who were fighting against the Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA) Government in Angola, subjected this route to ambushes. The situation worsened when Unita realised it was losing the war in the south at Cuito Cuanavale. Dr Hugo reinforced his medical team by training other members as the Front stretched along three towns: Piri, which was about 60 km from Quibaxe, where a battalion was deployed; Quibaxe town and Camps 13 and 32; and Parede, which was about 11 km from Quibaxe and also had a battalion strength. This was a difficult assignment given the circumstances under which the guerilla army operated, being without guaranteed resources in fighting a counter-insurgency campaign.

Over and above his task in the Northern Front, Nkabinde rendered service to all MK camps in the north. He also accompanied convoys to Luanda, which was about 200 km from Quibaxe. As a result of ambushes, members were sometimes forced to walk on foot to Luanda to meet the convoy half way. That was also meant to clear the route of any UNITA ambushes. This was quite a task for Nkabinde, given the fact that he was not as highly trained as other members who had been in MK camps for a long time and others who had combat experience from inside the country.

One thing which was very clear to him was that there was an important task to be undertaken by our doctors in the army – that of ensuring that the army was as healthy as possible so as to fight better the war of liberation. Because of his cheerful character and the sympathy and care he displayed to all in his hands, Dr Hugo became very popular with his comrades. He used to exercise patience with the injured and sick comrades, offering them the best of his skills. A doctor of outstanding ability, he demanded high standards of himself and others he worked with.

In April 1988, UNITA rebels ambushed an MK convoy from Luanda at Keso, injuring a number of members. Dr Hugo was among the first to arrive. Had it not been for the professional medical experience of Dr Hugo and his medical team, some members might have died. There were many such incidents, especially ambushes where Dr Hugo distinguished himself. He always insisted on going out with reconnaissance teams even though these could comprise small teams of guerilla fighters.

He missed no opportunity to pass his skills on and develop other comrades in the Health Department. He used to motivate all around him, urging comrades to accomplish tasks today rather than tomorrow. “Let’s push on the struggle by a few more metres, Comrades”, he would say when carrying out an assignment. He was also impatient with outmoded and conservative ideas, and reluctance to change.

As a result of his presence in the Northern Front, the health situation of members improved noticeably. This also applied to the camps around Quibaxe. Many lives that could have been lost, in especially the ambushes, were saved. He did not only improve the health situation in the camps and the Northern Front but also that of the local population. Quibaxe’s hospital was ill-equipped, but Dr Hugo helped at the hospital during his spare time or when asked by the local authorities. His assistance always made a difference.

He conducted First Aid classes for members in the Northern Front and other camps. He improvised and used initiatives in conducting his classes. Some of the medical orderlies he trained assisted at the local hospital in Quibaxe. Dr Hugo was a dedicated member who led by example. His loyalty was unquestionable. Many of his peers opted for the relative safety of Lusaka, while others would pay occasional visits to MK camps. Dr Hugo was in the forefront in Angola’s trenches. He inspired many members with his attitude and behaviour. Sometimes, members’ morale would be low for different reasons but Nkabinde was always able to lift their spirits.

Dr Hugo Nkabinde forfeited the comforts his profession could have provided, instead pursuing the dream of a free South Africa. He led by example, in the process inspiring many MK cadres to carry on the struggle for justice and democracy. The revolution was deprived of an outstanding son of our people. We lost a dear comrade and friend.

Dr Thamsanqa Blessing Fihlela (aka “Dr Hugo Nkabinde”) was awarded the Order of Mendi in Gold for his contribution to the ideals of freedom through putting his medical profession to the service of exiled freedom fighters.

LONG LIVE THE SPIRIT OF DR HUGO NKABINDE!

Sources:
The Presidency South Africa, “Presentation of National Orders”, The Union Building, Pretoria, 28 October 2008.
Obituary, “Dr Thamsanqa Blessing Fihlela (alias Dr Hugo Nkabinde)”, Dawn – Journal of Umkhonto we Sizwe, Vol. 1, No. 1, 1988.

Castro Khwela
Good day fellow Compatriots!