MESSAGE OF CONDOLENCE FROM THE SOUTH AFRICAN GOVERNMENT ON THE PASSING OF MR GOVAN MBEKI

30 August 2001

The Government of the Republic of South Africa is shocked and saddened by the death of one of the most steadfast leaders this country has ever produced, Govan Mbeki.

The first Deputy President of the Senate in our new democratic Parliament in 1994, Oom Gov as all who loved him popularly called him, died at his home in Port Elizabeth in the early hours of the morning.

Tributes have been pouring in for Oom Gov since the announcement. The achievements of his lifetime are being spoken about and hailed from all corners of the globe from people touched by his story.

He will be sorely missed and thousands across the country and the world are mourning his death. His name and life personified all the renowned elements of South Africa's history of struggle against apartheid: sacrifice, leadership, courage, dedication, discipline, empathy, understanding and wisdom.

The country has indeed lost a fine revolutionary intellectual. He could easily have led a life of comfort but instead he chose to sacrifice everything and fight for the freedom of his people.

He chose to utilize his knowledge and skills to bring about fundamental change in this country. For that he spent 23 years on Robben Island, where he continued to play a central role in imparting knowledge and continued to write on various topics.

Fortunately for us all, he has ensured that his thoughts and history are shared with generations to come, through his prolific writing.

Oom Gov fought racism and intolerance all his life and worked for a non-racial society. Ironically, he departs during a week in which the whole world has converged in South Africa to look at how to deal decisively with the scourge of racism and other intolerances. The conference will have given him fitting tribute if it produces implementable resolutions that will take forward some of the ideas of this renowned scholar.

He has made his priceless contribution. As Government we will strive to continue where he left off, and continue the quest for a better life for all the people of our beautiful country. We owe that to Oom Gov.

Conscious of his father's deep abhorrence of racism, President Mbeki will continue to perform his duties as President of South Africa at the World Conference Against Racism, Xenophobia and Related Intolerances. This would have been, as Oom Gov would have wanted it.

Flags will fly at half-mast at all state buildings throughout the country from tomorrow until the day of the funeral, to honour Oom Gov for his contribution to the country.

The Presidency will open a condolence book from Friday, 31 August for those who would like to extend their personal messages to the Mbeki family. This book can be signed at the West Wing of the Union Buildings, from 09h00 to 18h00 Monday to Friday until the day before the funeral.

On behalf of Government, I would like to extend my condolences to the Mbeki family. The country grieves with you. At the same time, we celebrate the life of this great man who loved this country so much.

Hamba Kahle Oom Gov.

JACOB G ZUMA
DEPUTY PRESIDENT AND LEADER OF GOVERNMENT BUSINESS
Pretoria

Issued by The Presidency: Republic of South Africa
Pretoria
30 August 2001

Enquiries: Lakela Kaunda
082 782 2575

Annexure:
Summarised biography of Govan Archibald Mvuyelwa Mbeki

• Born in the Transkei in July 1910
• Received his school education at Healdtown missionary school.
• Worked in Johannesburg during school holidays where he became interested in the activities of the Industrial and Commercial Workers' Union
• In 1935 joined the ANC
• In 1936 he completed a degree in Politics and Psychology at the University College of Fort Hare together with a Teaching Diploma
• Moved to Durban where he taught at two schools.
• Political activism prevented him from pursuing a career in teaching. He dedicated himself to politics and writing in the Eastern Cape.
• He also was involved in a co-operative project which led to the running of a General Dealers store in Idutywa with his wife, Epainette and his four children: Linda, Thabo, Moeletsi and Jama.
• He was also a member of the Transkei Bunga
• In 1955, moved to Port Elizabeth and became Eastern Cape editor of the New Age.
• Immersed in the practical politics of mass mobilisation for the Congress of the People in 1955, became a leader of the ANC in the Eastern Cape.
• At the same time, he was also an active member of the underground Communist Party.
• When the New Age was banned, and peaceful, non-violent struggle were exhausted, he became one of the key figures of the underground leadership of the Liberation Movement.
• He was very active in the formation of Umkhonto we Sizwe and spent most of his years in the early sixties in jail, awiting trial or in detention.
• He was arrested in Rivonia in 1963 and later sentenced to life imprisonment on Robben Island, with other leaders such as Nelson Mandela, Walter Sisulu.
• While in prison, he was conferred with the honorary doctorate in Social Sciences by the University Amsterdam and numerous other awards.
• On June 26th 1980 he received the time-honoured title of Isithwalandwe from the ANC in exile.
• He was released from prison on November 5th 1987, and immediatlely banned and continued to work for the ANC.
• Books published by him include "South Africa: The Peasants' Revolt" and "Sunset at Midday"; "Learning from Robben Island"
• Elected the Deputy President of the Senate after the democratic elections of 1994
• His 90th birthday was celebrated throughout the country in July 2000.

Tasneem Carrim
Communications
The Presidency
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Pretoria
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