The Individual, Auto/biography and History in South Africa

In contrast, Ronnie Kasrils, Modise’s former deputy defence minister, suggested that
Modise had been “a role‐model and icon of the struggle for freedom”. Undoubtedly aware
of biographic controversy and turmoil around Modise, Kasrils attempted to set the record
straight about Modise’s resistance past, political work and moral credentials. Crediting
Modise with a “unique and illustrious” contribution in the integration and establishment
of a “credible defence force”, Kasrils depicted him as “a no nonsense commander” who
was “unafraid of dirtying his hands”. Moreover, Modise had been “a warm, friendly
human being” with “a heart of gold”. Kasril’s account of Modise’s career provided a list of
political and military achievements, of having organised bases and camps “throughout the
Frontline States” and “training for MK cadres in a dozen African and socialist countries”,
and having “commanded” the “incursions” by ZAPU and MK into Rhodesia in 1967‐68. 157
Modise, Kasrils suggested, had “helped to mastermind” the military attacks on the Sasol
oil refinery, the Voortrekkerhoogte military base and Koeberg nuclear plant as “armed
propaganda” aimed at undermining the apartheid regime and inspiring the people.
Modise, Kasrils suggested, had been meticulous in his political administration as Defence
Minister. “Sensitive to charges of nepotism”, Modise had held back from advocating the
cause of Jackie Sedibe for promotion to general, as Sedibe was his “lifelong companion
and devoted wife”. Instead, it was Kasrils, as Deputy Minister, who had pushed her
promotion through. As Minister of Defence, Modise ensured that the SANDF “would be
representative of the country’s demographics”. It was he who had produced the “policy
basis and framework” for the new defence force in the form of the Defence White Paper.
The Defence Review that Modise had produced was “regarded as the most transparent
and consultative in international experience”. These steps had been adopted by
Parliament and formed the basis of the arms procurement programme. Loyal and
devoted, Kasrils noted that the accusations against Modise of corruption around arms
procurement had been rejected shortly before his death. 158
157 Ronnie Kasrils, ‘Modise: A soldier and a gentleman’, The Star, 30 November 2001.
158 Ronnie Kasrils, ‘Modise: A soldier and a gentleman’.
246