Pretoria – Social Development Minister Bathabile Dlamini has extended condolences to the family and friends of an anti-apartheid struggle activist and religious leader, Reverend Mcebisi Xundu on his passing.
Reverend Xundu died on Wednesday in Port Elizabeth in the Eastern Cape after battling with pneumonia.
Minister Dlamini has described the 80-year-old as a committed and dedicated servant of the nation who worked tirelessly to improve the lives of the poor until the last day of his life.
“He was one of the few religious leaders who were able to interpret the conditions of the poor and link them to Christianity, in the process articulating a clear role for religion in improving the lives of the poor,” said Minister Dlamini.
Reverend Xundu has over many years been an important role player within the social sector, helping in particular to foster an effective working relationship between the sector and faith-based organisations.
The Minister added that the department and its agencies, the South African Social Security Agency and the National Development Agency, today enjoy a constructive relationship with faith-based organisations because of efforts of faith-based leaders like Reverend Xundu.
“He was instrumental in the creation of a solid partnership between the department and the faith-based sector, through which fruitful programmes have emerged in our continuing efforts to address the many social challenges facing the South African society,” Minister Dlamini said.
At the time of his passing, Reverend Xundu was a board member of the National Development Agency.
He also worked with the Department of Social Development on the Inter-Faith Summit, which was held in October 2013 and the National Interfaith Twenty Years of Freedom Thanksgiving Ceremony in August 2014.
“His forthright manner and his uncompromising bias for the poor will be missed in the sector. May his soul rest in peace,” said Minister Dlamini. – SAnews.gov.za
