Another pillar of South Africa’s democracy is no more. Essop Pahad, a fighter and former presidency minister, has died at the age of 84.
A statement from the family confirmed that Pahad “died peacefully in his sleep” in the early hours of Thursday morning.
Although burial arrangements haven’t yet been finalized, he is expected to be buried in accordance with Muslim rights. Pahad was born on June 21, 1939 in Schweizer-Reneke in North West. He grew up in a family of political activists.
Career
His political career began in 1958 when he joined the Transvaal Indian Youth Congress.
In 1962 Pahad was arrested for organizing an illegal strike after the African National Congress (ANC) was banned in December 1964. Pahad was banned for five years and went into exile.
After the 1994 general elections in South Africa, Pahad served as parliamentary adviser to then Vice President Thabo Mbeki. In 1999 general elections, Pahad was appointed as Minister for the Presidency. Pahad retired after serving as a minister from 1999 to 2008.
Tributes for Pahad arrived from all over South Africa.
The trade union Congress of South African Trade Union (Cosatu) sent its condolences to Pahad’s family, friends and colleague.
“Cosatu extends its sincere condolences to Comrade Essop Pahad’s family, relatives, friends, former colleagues, Congress Movement, Alliance and global community activists and the global community who associated with him during the ‘anti-apartheid era. May his soul rest in peace.”
Pahad is one of many supporters of the ANC who used to speak out against the then leadership of the party under the former President, Jacob Zuma.
He said the ANC was the only loyal housemate he knew and that he intended to die as a member of the ANC.
“What we don’t want is for the ANC to die with us. It would die if we didn’t revive the movement.”
His wish came true. The ANC did not die with him. May his soul rest in eternal peace.
https://www.news24.com/news24/politics/government/former-presidency-minister-essop-pahad-dies-aged-84-20230706
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