Cape Town – Former minister in the presidency, Dr Essop Pahad, has passed away at the age of 84 after battling stage 4 cancer.
A statement released on behalf of his children confirmed his death on Thursday morning.
“It is with a heavy heart that we bring you the news of the passing of our beloved father. He peacefully left us in his sleep earlier today.
“He was not only a renowned figure in politics but also a loving brother, father, and grandfather. Unfortunately, he had been battling stage 4 cancer recently and succumbed to the illness.”
Pahad, a prominent figure in politics, who served as minister in the Presidency from 1999 to 2008, was a close confidant of former president Thabo Mbeki.
President Cyril Ramaphosa has offered his deep condolences to the family, friends and comrades of the late veteran.
President @CyrilRamaphosa is deeply saddened by the passing of struggle stalwart and former Minister in The Presidency, Essop Pahad.
Mr. Essop Goolam Pahad has passed away at the age of 84. https://t.co/BgKMV3vvuF pic.twitter.com/fjDIIqZUZx
— Presidency | South Africa 🇿🇦 (@PresidencyZA) July 6, 2023
“We mourn the passing of a veteran of our struggle, 65 years after he took his first revolutionary step of becoming a member of the Transvaal Indian Congress.
“Security crackdowns, banning and exile shaped Essop Pahad’s contribution over decades to our struggle and, as Parliamentary Counsellor to President Thabo Mbeki and Minister in the Presidency, to the early design and impact of our democratic state.
“Essop Pahad was a thinker and strategist who brought his understanding of the human condition, injustice and inequality at the national and international level to bear on our transition to democracy and in introducing a democratic, non-aligned and activist South Africa to the global community.
“He served our nation with pride, principle, pragmatism, and a charm that lived comfortably alongside a tongue that could lash severely at the right provocation.
“Amid the excessive demands of his public life, Essop Pahad was deeply devoted to his wife, Meg, and was a proud and doting father and grandfather, who is now sorely missed. May his soul rest in peace,” Ramaphosa said.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
