By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
President Cyril Ramaphosa has given late former deputy minister of foreign affairs Aziz Pahad a special official funeral category 2.
Pahad will be buried at Westpark cemetery on Saturday.
He died on Thursday just months after his brother, also a former minister, Essop Pahad.
“Ramaphosa has extended his deepest condolences to the extended Pahad family who have in short succession lost Aziz Pahad and his brother, former Minister in the Presidency Essop Pahad, who passed away in July 2023.
“The South African Police Service will provide ceremonial elements during the funeral service for the former Deputy Minister, which will commence at West Park Cemetery in Johannesburg at 10h00 tomorrow.
“Ramaphosa has directed that flags be flown at half-mast around the country until tomorrow evening,” the Presidency said in a statement.
Pahad has been described as a strategist and astute politician in his career that spanned many years.
International Relations and Cooperation Minister, Dr Naledi Pandor, says Pahad will be remembered for his outstanding contribution to the fight against apartheid and life-long commitment to the promotion of human rights on the international stage.
“In this role, Pahad became one of the first people at the forefront of establishing relations with the international community after many countries had severed ties with South Africa during the apartheid years, “Pandor said.
She described the former Deputy Minister as a fierce proponent of an independent foreign policy for South Africa.
“He was a principled champion for human rights, especially the oppressed and marginalised people. From Palestine to Western Sahara, he spoke for the voiceless and was unwavering in his implementation of South Africa’s foreign policy, which recognises the right to self-determination of the aforementioned peoples.”
In April 2021, the University of Pretoria conferred him an honorary doctorate in Literature for his “contributions to local and international peace, security, justice and international solidarity”.
The university said: “Pahad’s contributions and approach to diplomacy bring strong moral convictions, careful judgement and, above all, a quiet, influential determination in the search for solutions to South Africa’s challenges”.
Former president Thabo Mbeki, in whose administration Pahad served, said he was deeply saddened by his death.
“Comrade Aziz was a profoundly humane human being, with a sunny, compassionate, and humorous character…
“His upbringing was profoundly shaped by the indomitable a spirit of his family, particularly his mother, herself a stalwart in the fight against apartheid,” added Mbeki.
The former president said Pahad credited his mother for his upbringing and considered her a role model, and it was she who instilled a “strong sense of social justice and commitment to the struggle for a better human condition which informed his political and social outlook”.
“As the TMF [Thabo Mbeki Foundation], we are profoundly grateful to have had our name associated with a person of the stature of Cde Aziz Pahad.
“Aziz Pahad’s passing leaves a void not only in the political arena but in the hearts of all who were touched by his kindness and vision of a non-racial, non-sexist South Africa that is at peace with itself and the rest of the world,” added Mbeki.
Pahad was a member of the National Peace Executive Committee in 1991 and 1992, served as a member of the Transitional Executive Council’s subcommittee on foreign affairs in 1994, and the ANC’s national executive committee between 1985 and 2007.
Political parties have also continued to pay tribute to Pahad.
The African National Congress (ANC) has paid tribute to former party veteran Pahad saying he was a patriot and a brilliant diplomat.
“Comrade Aziz is remembered as a patriot, freedom fighter, and servant of the people throughout his life. He was a dedicated member of the ANC, a brilliant diplomat, and a strategist who served as a Member of Parliament and Deputy Minister for International Relations from 1994 to 2008.
“He leaves behind his wife, Angina, a brother, children, his granddaughter, and extended family members. He is also mourned by countless friends, comrades, and colleagues, both in South Africa and around the world,” said the ANC.
UDM leader Bantu Holomisa said Pahad contributed immensely to the liberation Struggle.
Holomisa said Pahad was one of the first generation of leaders in the post-1994 democratic era that shaped the country’s foreign policy.
“Thank you for his contribution in developing the country’s foreign policy. May his soul rest in peace,” said Holomisa.