Date: 29/03/2007

Source: Department of Transport

Title: Radebe: Memorial service for Dr I Phillips

Memorial service for Dr Ian Phillips Special Advisor to the Minister of Transport, a tribute by Minister JT Radebe

29 March 2007

It is most appropriate and befitting that the memorial service for Dr Ian Phillips is held in the Old Assembly Chamber of Parliament. It is on these same benches that Dr Phillips used to sit as a member of parliament's joint standing committee on defence to discuss and debate with fellow members the issue of the modernisation of our armed forces. He understood perfectly well the role of parliament in our democracy and in his daily interactions with the committees and other structures of parliament, he demonstrated tremendous respect for this important institution of the people. He was such a good parliamentarian using every space and opportunity provided by Parliament to advance the cause of the majority of South Africans.

I wish to take this opportunity to thank parliament for providing the platform for the memorial service today. In honouring the memory of Dr Phillips, parliament is in a way speaking to itself about the role and character of our parliament and its members. I also thank the African National Congress (ANC) through the office of the Chief Whip for the initiative to have a memorial service in memory of a fallen comrade.

I know that Dr Phillips would not have allowed us to sing his praises. He would not allow us to use his death to position ourselves and advance sectarian agendas. He was always in the background but making things happen. He was a simple and humble man. But we have lost an extraordinary human being in Dr Ian Phillips, a man of special qualities and a rare gem. Whatever Ian did, he did it so well because he paid special attention to detail and was well researched. He was a resourceful person and a dependable comrade.

I first met Ian when I came out of prison 17 years ago. I joined the National Democratic Lawyers (NADEL) and came across Ian's name during that time. He was a highly regarded academic and well known across the country for his role in the defence of Mkhonto Wesizwe (MK) comrades and other activists during political trials. He was a likeable fellow who knew so many people wherever he went. I met Ian during turbulent yet exciting times in the history of South Africa. When we met, we found that we were single minded in our pursuit for a democratic order. This was the beginning of a special relationship between us and we never looked back from that time. Ian and I faced many political challenges and difficulties together. We faced death together in the trenches for a peaceful and democratic South Africa. I could later focus on my political and leadership responsibilities whilst Ian would mop up and sort out the many other issues that faced us.

I remember the times when NADEL conducted training workshops for community based organisations (CBOs) and discussions about the nature and character of a democratic South Africa, Ian used the resources at his disposal at the University of Natal to support these initiatives. When it was time to assist and guide local communities in the establishment of self-defence units for people to defend themselves against the apartheid sponsored violence ripping our communities in the late 1980s and early 1990s, Dr Ian Phillips was there with MK comrades. Ian proved through his actions that he was more than an intellectual. Intellectuals should not be in "ivory towers" but should join hands with their people to build a better future. Dr Phillips was ultimately a revolutionary committed to the radical transformation of our country.

Ian did not use the university to advance his political agenda. He knew the value of sound research and good teaching. He was a great and critical scholar who was always objective and systematic. I recall two years ago when we were about to publish the national household travel survey in the Department of Transport. We were all excited about the results of this vitally important survey. Ian shattered the consensus among us because as a true scholar, he realised that the methodology and other related issues were open to criticism. He engaged with this process and ultimately he succeeded in ensuring that we had a product that will stand the test of time. Today, government could plan its public transport system informed by a reliable and sound information base generated from the national travel survey.

As an academic, Ian did not only research and teach, but was always prepared to learn from the experiences of the workers and the poor. It was this that also ensured that he is attracted to the ideals of the South Africa Communist Party (SACP). Ian was a South African but his travel and friendship all over the world shaped his outlook. He was a true internationalist.

A major lesson that Ian is leaving us is non-sectarian politics. Ian engaged and interacted with almost every structure in society. I was fascinated with the manner in which Ian interacted with the establishment when we came to power. Of particular interest was how Ian managed to reach at the heart of the defence establishment which enabled him to influence the direction and buy in. The leadership of our navy, army and air force were comfortable to speak to him because he could make them understand the thinking of non-statutory forces. Ian demonstrated again in practice that a leadership role of society is a complex challenge. It is not about standing on the mountain top and shouting out revolutionary slogans, but requires active involvement with various layers of society and gaining hegemony.

Ian was a master of the practice that Gramsci defined as the politics of "hegemony" and "war of position." A non-sectarian, inclusive approach remains vital if we want to build a caring and democratic society. Ian had a special relationship with the media. Unlike most of us in the liberation movement, who had tended to view the media as an instrument of bourgeoisie rule. Ian paid attention and developed a deep and personal relationship with his friends in the media. He even moved further to challenge us in government and in the ANC on how to manage the issues. Ian was open to the media.

Comrade Ian was fundamentally a revolutionary. His commitment and loyalty to the ANC, SACP and Congress of South Africa Trade Union (COSATU) was unshakeable. He believed that the ANC is the sole legitimate movement that could lead and unite all South Africans. He lived for the ideals of a non-racial, non-sexist and democratic South Africa. He was committed and loved the ANC, its policies and was committed to its programme of transformation. He knew that the alliance between the ANC, SACP and COSATU brought together the social forces that had nothing to lose from a radical transformation in South Africa. It was in his blood that the alliance is vital to the transformation of our society. Dr Phillips hated injustice and inequality and was prepared to fight not only to liberate others but for him to live in a just and peaceful society.

But Ian interacted with other players in an open and honest manner and was always prepared to take on board other progressive views that will create a better South Africa and world of peaceful and security.

We have lost an extraordinary human being. We have lost an intellectual giant. We have last a patriot. We will never have another Ian Phillips, a diligent worker, a talented human being and a scholar who paid so much attention to the detail.

At a personal level, I have lost a dear friend, comrade and a brother. I will cherish the lessons and experiences of having lived and shared with this comrade who loved life and live it to its fullest meaning. Ian lived life to the full music, food, humour, etc.

I say hamba kahle qawe lama qawe. You have laid the foundation of a just and peaceful society. You have touched the lives of so many people with your simplicity and humility.

I echo the sentiments of the waves as they embrace the shores of our beautiful country:

I echo the solitude of our majestic mountains and ravines
I echo the endless longing of our rolling hills and desolate planes
I echo the whispers of yearning of our flowing rivers and streams
I echo the voices of determination and hope as our people march forward on our journey of democracy, freedom, peace and comfort for all.

I echo the voices of friends, colleagues, comrades, family and loved ones as we say, go well dear friend! Hamba kahle comrade Ian! Hamba kahle spear of our nation!

I will miss you my friend, confidante and brother!

Issued by: Department of Transport