25 October 2004
It is with deep sadness and shock that we dip our revolutionary banner in honour and tribute of ANC National Executive Committee member and MEC for Local Government, Housing and Traditional Affairs, Comrade Dumisani Henry Makhaye. We pay our condolences to the Makhaye family and the entire movement in Kwazulu Natal. We agree with Kwazulu Natal Premier and ANC Provincial Chairperson S’bu Ndebele when he said “ The people of Kwazulu Natal, especially the poor, have lost a champion for development, peace and democracy”.
In his untimely and unexpected passing away, comrade Dumisani joins the world of departed heroes and heroines of our revolution like Oliver Reginald Tambo, Chris Hani, Walter Sisulu, Govan Mbeki, Elias Motsoaledi, Wilton Mkwayi, Moses Mabhida, Moses Kotane, J.B Marks, Dr Yusuf Dadoo, Dora Tamana, Ray Alexandra, Duma Nokwe, Lillian Ngoyi, Ruth First, Dorothy Nyembe, Francis Baard, Joe Slovo and Harry Gwala.
Comrade Dumisani was a prolific writer, an ardent, vibrant and capable public debater with a rousing and confident voice. He was a skilled mobiliser, organizer and educator. He dedicated more than half of his life in the service of the people of South Africa. He was a loyal, disciplined and dedicated leader of the ANC, a movement he served in various capacities, including as a soldier of its armed wing Umkhonto we Sizwe. He was even prepared to lay down his life for democracy and freedom we are now enjoying.
We call on all our members in Gauteng to continue from where Comrade Makhaye left, in our ongoing task of building a nonracial, nonsexist, united, democratic and prosperous South Africa.
Lala Kahle Qhawe la Maqhawe! We will always remember you.
Issued by: David Molemolla Makhura
ANC Gauteng Provincial Secretary
For more information contact Hope Mankwana Papo (ANC Gauteng Provincial Spokesperson) on 083 276-3688.