ANC statement on the death of Comrade Cassim Saloojee

1 February 2009

It is with great sadness that the African National Congress (ANC) has learnt of the death of one of its stalwarts - Cassim Saloojee. Comrade Saloojee passed away today (1 February 2009) after a long illness.

Comrade Saloojeee spearheaded the formation of the Johannesburg Indian Social Welfare Agency (JISWA), and became its CEO. This organisation played a critical role in contextualising the socio-economic problems of black people within the apartheid policy. Cas was very active, as CEO, in creating a platform, through JISWA, for the mobilisation - in particular the Indian community. He was a stalwart in the welfare movement and played a critical role in its transformation.

He was Publicity Secretary of the Transvaal Indian Congress (TIC). The TIC was in the forefront of mobilising and organizing the Indian community under the banner of the ANC. The TIC played a critical role, as part of the United Democratic Front (UDF), in destroying the Tricamarel structure imposed by the apartheid govt in the early 1980's

Comrade Saloojee was also Chairperson of the Social Welfare Portfolio Committee in Parliament from 1994 to about 1999.

He was one of the founders of ACTSTOP, a civic organization that organized in the inner-city areas of Johannesburg during the 1980's

He was ill with Alzeimers for over a year and passed away this morning. The funeral will leave from his son Mohamed's house at 15:30 today. The address is 136 Clovelly Rd, Greenside. He leaves his wife Khatija and sons Riaz and Mohamed.

Issued by:
Carl Niehaus
National Spokesperson
African National Congress

Enquiries:
Brian Sokutu 071 671 6919