Pretoria - Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa has paid tribute to former Sport and Recreation Minister Reverend Makhenkesi Stofile, who was laid to rest at a funeral service in his home town of Alice in the Eastern Cape.
The hall at the University of Fort Hare, where Reverend Stofile was serving as Chancellor at the time of his death, was packed to the rafters on Thursday, where speaker upon speaker praised the calibre of leader that Stofile was.
Delivering the eulogy at the Special Official Funeral Service, Deputy President Ramaphosa said Reverend Stofile was a rare leader, who was prepared to make the necessary sacrifices.
“He was a revolutionary reverend and a revolutionary politician. He was unwavering in his faith and firm in his political convictions.
“We can say with conviction that Makhenkesi Stofile’s life was not given to regret, for he was an architect of hope and a combatant for social justice,” said the Deputy President.
He conveyed condolences to the Stofile family on behalf of government and the people of South Africa.
“May you find comfort and strength in the fact that he lived his life to the fullest and served his people with courage and distinction. We celebrate a life lived in service and devotion. We celebrate the outstanding contribution that he has made to our country and to its people. Reverend Makhenkesi Stofile was a person of great courage.
“He risked his life for his people and his movement. He is one of the many leaders who endured persecution and imprisonment. He fought for the people, no matter the personal cost, because it was what his conscience demanded,” said the Deputy President.
Reverend Stofile was a former ambassador, Cabinet Minister and Eastern Cape Premier. He passed away on Monday. - SAnews.gov.za
