UNSUNG hero McGregor Mgolombane, who played a significant role in the liberation of South Africa, was honoured at the weekend and his life was celebrated - 24 years after his death.

About 1000 people gathered on Saturday at Dikishe village outside Mthatha, braving the cold weather to celebrate Mgolombane.

The memorial was marked by the unveiling of a tombstone by the National Heritage Council (NHC). The initiative forms part of heritage month.

Mgolombane, the son of a chief and a teacher, was a staunch member and activist of the ANC's underground structures. He was arrested and imprisoned from 1958 to 1963.

His political activities also resulted in his dismissal from the education department and he was deported to various places including Qumbu, Kuruman and Lesotho in 1955.

An extraordinary individual, whose passion was to promote a fair and just society that was free from racial oppression, Mgolombane died of pneumonia on September 20 1988 aged 86.

Defence and Military Veterans Deputy Minister Thabang Makwetla delivered the Mgolombane Memorial Lecture. He urged the community to be responsible when exercising their rights.

"People should not expect all their needs to be met by the government all at once and immediately," Makwetla said.

The NHC's chief executive officer Advocate Sonwabile Mancotywa said: "Mgolombane is among those who will not go unobserved as the NHC chronicles the history of the struggle to liberate South Africa and realise democracy as we see it today."