Johannesburg - President Jacob Zuma has described Hermanus Loots as a man who fought for a non-racial and united South Africa that is free of poverty and inequality.
“He fought for a truly united, non-racial, non-sexist, democratic and prosperous society,” said President Zuma on Saturday.
The President joined other speakers at the special official funeral service of Umkhonto we Sizwe (MK) struggle stalwart Hermanus Loots.
Loots, who was famously known as James Stuart, passed away on 25 January. Those who knew him personally described him as a man who wanted a society without poverty and inequality.
“He fought for a society without racism and prejudice, where people will not be judged by the colour of their skin as it happened during the evil system of apartheid that he fought relentlessly,” said President Zuma at a packed St Mungo’s United Church in Bryanston, Johannesburg.
With the declaration of a special official funeral, flags across the country have been flying at half-mast. In honour of Loots, President Zuma called on South Africans to rededicate themselves to unity.
“In his honour and memory, let us rededicate ourselves to unity as we fight racism and build a non-racial society.”
Loots, who was an unsung hero and humble servant of the people, cared deeply about the wellbeing of others, especially those in MK camps, said President Zuma.
Loots served as a Member of Parliament in South Africa’s first democratic Parliament from 1994 to 1999 following the first democratic elections in 1994.
President Zuma said the struggle stalwart was one of the country’s finest cadres.
“His passing is a stark reminder that death continues to rob us of our veterans, who possess the much needed wisdom acquired over many years in the struggle for freedom, justice and equality.”
Loots was part of the much celebrated Luthuli detachment, which confronted both the apartheid and Ian Smith forces in battle in the Wankie-Sipolilo Campaign of 1967.
President Zuma told those attending the service that Loots was able to make fair and sound judgements and that he had a “rare quality of objectivity”.
“He served in Parliament from 1994 to 1999, sharing his expertise in the Joint Standing Committees of Defence. When he left Parliament for the private sector, he continued to contribute to the transformation of the country in the economic domain,” said President Zuma.
He said Loots believed in youth development and in the need to invest in the future of the youth.
Minister in the Presidency for Performance, Monitoring and Evaluation Jeff Radebe, who was also the programme director at the service, said the designation of a special official funeral for Loots is in recognition of the contribution he made towards South Africa’s freedom.
Loots’s nephew Johnny Loots described him as a remarkable and committed person, who had the ability to speak many languages including Mandarin.
Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa, Former Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe, as well as former Speaker of the National Assembly Max Sisulu and Defence and Military Veterans Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula were among those who attended the service. – SAnews.gov.za
