Anti-apartheid stalwart Aziz Pahad dies aged 82
Aziz Pahad died on Wednesday evening. (Photo: Henghameh Fahhimi/AFP)
Former anti-apartheid activist Aziz Pahad has died.
He was 82 years old.
Family spokesperson Dr Fazel Randera said the former Member of Parliament died on Wednesday evening.
The family described him as a patriot and freedom fighter who dedicated his life to the ruling party and serving South Africans.
"He is also mourned by countless friends, comrades and colleagues in South Africa and across the world," said Randera, who added that the family would make funeral arrangements in due course.
ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula confirmed the death of the veteran and expressed the party's sympathies to Pahad's family.
We bid farewell to yet another ANC veteran and freedom fighter: Comrade Aziz Pahad. Our deepest condolences go to the Pahad family at this time. May his soul Rest in Peace. ?????? pic.twitter.com/RNTgBaFyZm
— ANC SECRETARY GENERAL | fikile Mbalula (@MbalulaFikile) September 27, 2023Pahad was the deputy head of the ANC's Department of International Affairs in 1991.
He was a member of the National Peace Executive Committee in 1991 and 1992, served as a member of the Transitional Executive Council's sub-committee on foreign affairs in 1994, and the ANC's national executive committee between 1985 and 2007.
Between 1994 and 2008, he served as an MP and deputy minister of foreign affairs. He occupied these positions after returning from exile in 1990.
Early life
After the Rivonia Trial in 1964, Pahad left South Africa for the United Kingdom. He lived between London, Angola and Zambia while maintaining strong ties with the ANC as an anti-apartheid activist.
He established an anti-apartheid movement in Europe in 1966.
He was a member of the ruling party's Revolutionary Council and Political Military Committee and a member of the ANC's team that negotiated with the apartheid government after the ANC was unbanned.
Pahad is survived by his wife Angelina.
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