Ramaphosa declares three days of mourning for struggle icon Denis Goldberg

President Cyril Ramaphosa has declared three days of mourning for anti-apartheid activist, Denis Goldberg, who died at age 87.

Goldberg passed away in the just before midnight on Wednesday, 29 April 2020.

“In terms of this declaration, the National Flag is to fly at half-mast at every station in the country from today, Friday, 1 May 2020, to Monday, 4 May 2020, as a mark of respect and in observance of days of national mourning for Mr Goldberg, who passed away at the age of 87“, the Presidency said in a statement.

Ramaphosa has also expressed his deep condolences at the passing of Goldberg and said, “At this time we cannot say our goodbyes in person and in our numbers. May the silent prayers and gratitude of the people of South Africa carry his brave and patriotic soul to its final rest.”

“This is a sad moment for our nation and a moment for all of us to appreciate Denis Goldberg’s brave dedication to our struggle and his lifelong activism in the interest of – and in the physical presence of – poor and vulnerable communities around our country,” he added

Goldberg hailed for his contribution to the struggle

Tributes for the stalwart have been streaming in, with many citing his role in the fight against injustices.

‘’Goldberg’s role in the struggle is invaluable. He was part of a generation that took the decision to fight and cripple the infrastructure of a racist government that sought to keep South Africans in servitude and indignity’’, said the EFF’s Vuyani Pambo.

“We have been deeply saddened to hear that Denis Goldberg has passed away and send condolences to his family, friends and comrades. South Africa has lost another true patriot, someone who was a friend of Nelson Mandela and a stalwart of struggle”, said the Nelson Mandela Foundation’s Dr Sello Hatang.

“Most of Ntate Goldberg’s life was dedicated to the struggle against apartheid and the building of democracy. He was a member of a generation of leadership which shaped the country’s history in profound ways. In later years he challenged the direction our democracy was taking, initially critiquing the country’s macroeconomic policies and then challenging state capture during the years of cronyism and looting”, Hatang furher said.

The anti-apartheid activist was one of the Rivonia Trialists who were convicted for treason by government in the early 1960s alongside Nelson Mandela.

“His family and the Denis Goldberg Legacy Foundation are very sad to announce that Denis Goldberg passed away before midnight on Wednesday, 29 April 2020. He was a life well lived in the struggle for freedom in South Africa. We will miss him”, the Denis Goldberg Legacy Foundation Trust said in a statement.