Cape Town — Former African National Congress (ANC) stalwart and anti-Apartheid activist, Yusuf Bhamjee, passed away on Friday morning aged 74.
Bhamjee represented the ANC in Kwa-Zulu Nata (KZN) between 1994 and 2008, and acted as the former mayor of uMgungundlovu District. The family revealed that he passed away on Friday after being hospitalised since Monday, IOL reported.
The ANC in KZN said Bhamjee was a loyal member of the ANC and was described as a “champion of service delivery” who was fondly remembered for turning the fortunes of the uMgungundlovu District Municipality.
“As a deployee of the ANC, he used the office of the mayor to bridge the gap between the people of uMgungundlovu and prosperity. Throughout the term of office, he displayed an unwavering commitment to make local government work better for the people,” the ANC said.
JUST IN: ANC stalwart and former mayor of uMgungundlovu District, Yusuf Bhamjee, has passed away at 74. The ANC in KwaZulu-Natal remembers him as a champion of transformation and service delivery. pic.twitter.com/OnFIJywgHw
— SABC News (@SABCNews) January 3, 2025
The ANC said he had integrated ordinary members into programmes for service delivery and left behind a legacy of making local government the centre of democratic participation.
The ANC said he was warm and friendly and believed in Nelson Mandela’s ideology of the Rainbow Nation. He was also a sports activist.
“He understood that sports had the potential to unite the people of this country after years of tension created by the apartheid regime. It is not surprising that he was awarded the Andrew Mlangeni Green Jacket in recognition for his services to sports activism in the province,” it added.
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Compiled by Matthew Petersen
