Photo: Twitter
Struggle veteran Ebrahim Ebrahim dies
Former Deputy International Relations Minister and struggle veteran Ebrahim Ebrahim has died at his home on Monday.
Photo: Twitter
Former Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation and struggle veteran Ebrahim Ebrahim has died. He was 84.
HE REPORTEDLY DIED AFTER A LONG ILLNESS
The anti-apartheid activist reportedly died at his home following a long illness on Monday morning.
His death was reportedly confirmed by his wife, Shannon Ebrahim.
Tributes poured Ebrahim on Monday. He joined the liberation movement as a youth activist in 1952.
EBRAHIM JOINED THE LIBERATION MOVEMENT IN 1952
Ebrahim took part in the Congress of the People in Kliptown, which led to the adoption of the Freedom Charter.
In 1963, he was arrested and was sentenced to 15 years on Robben Island.
HE SPENT 15 YEARS ON ROBBEN ISLAND
Ebrahim was released in 1979.
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Speaking of Ebrahim at lunch celebrating his release from Robben Island in 1991, Nelson Mandela said, “Ebrahim emerged as one of the most outstanding pillars of the movement, who was not only committed and loyal, but who had the ability to explain the policies of the organisation.”
Ebrahim also served as the parliamentary counsellor to the leader of government business (deputy president) for a portion of the Fifth Parliament.
EBRAHIM RECEIVED SEVERAL AWARDS
One of the awards he received was the Military Veterans Decoration in Platinum in 2012, in recognition of his sacrifices made to bring about peace, democracy, and freedom in South Africa.
He was also awarded the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award, presented to him by the president of India in 2013, for exceptionalism in his field and bringing prestige to India, and the Order of Civil Merit bestowed by the King of Spain Felipe VI. The knighthood, at the rank of knight commander, was in recognition of his contribution to the Struggle.
Ebrahim leaves behind his wife Shannon, his children, family members, and his comrades.
His official biography, Ebrahim Ebrahim. A Gentle Revolutionary by his wife and partner Shannon Ebrahim was published by the Kathrada Foundation in 201.
As he explained this life in his own words: “I have been involved in the struggle for liberation for over 36 years. I spend about half that period in prison. My life has been one struggle for peace and natural justice, for common humanity, and a struggle against the greatest evil of this century, the evil of racism. If I were to choose my life all over again I would follow the same path. I could never have remained indifferent to the poverty and suffering of our people.”
TRIBUTES:
Meanwhile, National ANC spokesperson Pule Mabe said the ANC learned with deep sadness of the passing on of Ebrahim.
“Comrade Ebi, as he was affectionately known, was a longstanding member of the ANC, a patriot who served his country in different capacities with humility, dedication and distinction. We offer our heartfelt condolences to his wife Shannon, and their children Sarah and Caden, as well as their extended family, friends and comrades.
“We shall all miss his gentle and always-ready smile, his steadfast commitment to the South African people and to the African Agenda, and his humility, dedication and hard work,” Mabe said.
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