Issued by: Office of the Presidency
13 January 2000
I have learnt with shock of the passing away of Comrade Alfred Baphethuxolo Nzo today. I am deeply saddened by the departure of this great African patriot.
On behalf of the South African government and the people of South Africa, we express our deepest condolences to his wife Regina and his family.
Alfred Nzo dedicated all his life to the struggle of the oppressed for freedom. To his last day, he was an unwavering champion of non-racialism and non-sexism. He stood for a united country and people.
A working class son from Alexandra, Alfred Nzo won admiration from all sections of humanity that respect human dignity and world peace. He won accolades not only on the African continent, but also from all the freedom-loving nations across the globe.
An embodiment of humility and dignity, Alfred Nzo shall occupy pride of place among the legions of heroes and heroines of the national liberation revolutions that defeated colonialism. It is this legacy that saw him chosen the first Foreign Minister of a democratic South Africa, a task he performed with distinction when he helped re-integrate South Africa into the world economy.
Alfred Nzo served the African National Congress as Secretary General from 1969 until 1991. He endured many years of exile and persecution. The sacrifices he made over the many years of struggle sowed the seeds for the democratic South Africa which all democrats throughout the world take pride in today.
After he had retired from government in June 1999, Alfred Nzo returned to ANC Headquarters to continue serving the movement in which he had spent many decades of his life and that had shaped his being and his outlook to life.
Alfred Nzo was a model ANC member. The country will undoubtedly mourn his loss but use his example to remind ourselves of our obligations to our movement and our people.
Nzo's life deserves to be celebrated. For it is a tribute to him that we are today building on a foundation laid by him and those of his generation who made the freedom of their people their life-calling.
We have ordered that the national flag will fly at half-mast throughout the country in honour of the late Alfred Nzo with effect from Monday, 17 January 2000 till the day that Alfred Nzo will be buried.
Issued by the Office of the Presidency 13 Jan 2000 More info:
Tasneem Carrim 083 650 7199