Pretoria – African National Congress (ANC) struggle hero and former minister, Dr. Essop Goolam Pahad, has passed away at the age of 84.
Announcing the passing of the stalwart, the Pahad family said: “It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Dr. Essop Goolam Pahad, during the early hours of 6 July 2023 in his sleep, at the age of 84.
“Dr Essop Pahad served the people of South Africa throughout his life, as a dedicated member of the ANC and SACP [SA Communist Party], and after 1994 as a Member of Parliament and Minister in the Presidency.
“He was a dedicated and loving family man and leaves behind his wife, brothers, children, grandchildren, and extended family members.
“He is also mourned by countless friends, comrades, and colleagues. Dr. Essop Pahad will be laid to rest this afternoon, 6 July 2023 with Muslim Rites at West Park Cemetery, Johannesburg at 14:00.”
President Cyril Ramaphosa on Thursday said he was “deeply saddened by the passing of struggle stalwart and former Minister in the Presidency”.
The President offered his “deep condolences” to the family, friends, and comrades of the late anti-apartheid struggle veteran.
President Ramaphosa said: 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 Pahads 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.
Meanwhile, the ANC has paid homage to Dr. Pahad, describing him as “a veteran and stalwart of the struggle”.
Remembering Dr. Pahad, the ANC recalled that the stalwart was born on 21 June 1939, in Schweizer, South Africa, he hailed from a family of political activists.
His father, Goolam Hoosain Ismael Pahad, was a prominent figure in the Transvaal Indian Congress and the South African Indian Congress.
“Following in his father’s footsteps, Essop joined the Transvaal Indian Youth Congress in 1958, where he became a vocal advocate for the cause, fighting for the rights of all South Africans, regardless of race,” the ANC recalled.
However, he faced persecution for his efforts, compelling him to flee the country in 1964.
Despite being in exile, he remained steadfast in his mission, working tirelessly with members of the international community to raise awareness about the struggles of South Africa.
“This experience gave him a profound appreciation for diverse perspectives and an unwavering commitment to fighting for justice. Upon his return to South Africa in 1990, Essop played a pivotal role in shaping the new South Africa,” the ANC said.
He played an instrumental role in the Convention for a Democratic South Africa negotiations – best remembered as “CODESA”.
Dr. Pahad held several notable political positions, including serving as a member of the National Assembly from 1994-2008, as Parliamentary Counsellor to the Deputy President from 1994 to 1996, and later as Deputy Minister from 1996 to 1999.
In 1999, he served as Minister, focusing on key issues such as the Rights of the Child and the Status of Women.
Throughout his life, Essop held various positions, including an ANC National Executive Committee member, Chairperson of the Board of Trustees of the South African Democracy Education Trust, and a member of several other boards and committees.
“His unwavering dedication to fighting racism and apartheid for over five decades was commendable, and his tireless efforts laid the groundwork for a non-racial, non-sexist, and democratic South Africa,” said the ANC.
“Essop’s activism and lifetime of service continue to inspire us all.
“He is a testament to what we can accomplish if we remain resolute in our beliefs and fight for justice, even in the face of persecution and adversity.
“His legacy will forever be remembered in the annals of South African history, and his contributions will never be forgotten.
“May his soul rest in peace.”
