Pretoria – The late Public Service and Administration Minister, Collins Chabane, will be remembered as a leader who demonstrated excellent leadership during one of the country’s tragic incidents in Marikana.
“We are deeply saddened by this untimely and tragic passing of one of the country’s progressive and hardworking leaders,” President of the Chamber of Mines of South Africa, Mike Teke, said.
Minister Chabane and his two protectors -- Sergeants Lesiba Sekele and Lawrence Lentsoane -- died in a car accident near Polokwane in the early hours of Sunday.
Chamber of mines spokesperson Zingaphi Matanzima said Minister Chabane’s astuteness in confronting the challenges the country faced was a lesson that South Africans should all learn from.
“The Chamber of Mines of South Africa, on behalf of its members, conveys its sincere condolences to the families of the late Minister Collins Chabane and his two protectors … Sergeants Sekele and Lentsoane,” Matanzima said.
She said the chamber hoped Minister Chabane’s family, government and the political fraternity would find it in their hearts to continue with his passion of making South Africa a better country for all.
The Nelson Mandela Foundation also expressed its deepest condolences to the families.
On behalf of its Chairman Professor Njabulo Ndebele, trustees and staff, the Nelson Mandela Foundation said that it’s a tragedy when the lives are cut short of individuals who have dedicated their lives to public service, freedom and democracy in South Africa.
“Minister Chabane, in particular, took up arms against the apartheid regime as a teenager and served a prison sentence on Robben Island as a result. We mourn with South Africa. May he rest in peace,” said foundation Director: Communications and Outreach, Danielle Melville.
Meanwhile, the Public Relations Institute of Southern Africa (PRISA) Limpopo said the province and the whole nation lost a hero, liberator, leader and a gallant of the struggle.
“Chabane will be remembered by working assiduously towards the attainment of the freedom of South Africa,” PRISA Limpopo said in a statement.
The late Minister will be given a special funeral service.
*Click here to view our online tribute to Minister Chabane. – SAnews.gov.za
