Latest news with #DouglasGibson
IOL News
3 days ago
- Politics
- IOL News
Remembering Douglas Gibson: Tributes at the memorial service
Former DA chief whip and ambassador to Thailand, Douglas Gibson, has been described as a 'loyal soldier of the party'. Image: Leon Muller / Independent Newspapers DA leader John Steenhuisen described the party's former chief whip and ambassador to Thailand, Douglas Gibson, as a 'loyal soldier of the party' whose relentless commitment set a benchmark as a chief whip. 'He lived and slept politics and determination and drive to make sure that his party prevailed is something that never lost me,' Steenhuisen said at the memorial service held in Parliament on Friday. Gibson passed away recently at the age of 82. He served as South Africa's ambassador to Thailand between 2008 and 2012. Gibson, who served as an MP from 1994 until 2008, was a lawyer by profession. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ Steenhuisen described him not only as a man of 'incredible intellect' but also as a man who knew how to play the ball and not the man. He said Gibson liked to raise others to the light as well. 'It was evident at the time that he spent here and walked these hallowed halls, and he played a big role in asserting the role of the opposition in a democratic Parliament, and as much as those who seek to play the role in shaping Parliament what an opposition should look like,' he said. Steenhuisen said Gibson was a loyal soldier of the party and he did not stop working for DA. 'We will miss Douglas, but his contribution here in this House and to our politics will be remembered.' The deep respect held for Gibson was echoed by former DA leader Tony Leon, who acknowledged him as one of the great builders of South African politics. 'He will be well remembered. Go well, our dear, distinguished, and noble friend. You have served our country so well,' Leon said. John Jeffrey, ANC member and former deputy minister for Justice, fondly recalled Gibson as a quintessential gentleman. 'He was never outright rude and didn't raise his voice. He was always polite. It was wonderful to have him as opposition chief whip, because he was hardworking and reliable and didn't play games,' Jeffrey said. He recalled interacting for a considerable time with Gibson when he was a parliamentary counselor to the then-deputy president Jacob Zuma. 'He was also primarily committed to South Africa and the impact of his actions on the bigger picture, rather than narrow, immediate party games. He was also a very eloquent speaker, and would often stand up at his seat to raise some or other point of order.' Jeffrey added that Gibson played an important role in building the democratic parliamentary democracy. 'He greatly enriched the functioning of Parliament in the early years of democracy. On behalf of the African National Congress, I wish to express our condolences to his family, friends, colleagues, and the Democratic Alliance. He ran a great race, and we will miss him,' he said. Sandra Botha, former opposition leader in Parliament, said Gibson was such an 'authentic personality, an original, cunning, ruthless and compassionate at the same time, super bright, steadfast and liberal'. 'He cherished democracy and the rule of law, an excellent manager of caucus, strategist, and timekeeper, only once deeply appreciated by me,' Botha said. She said Gibson was rarely wrong and could rely on his legal training, which he put to valuable use in terms of legal forums involving the party. 'He tutored and he led. He was keen to engage and all times there to cover where his leader needed, not that that was easy. If you wish to measure Douglas at his true worth, you just need to see the relationship between him and Tony. They were equals, taking on quite different responsibilities. It was not a competition. It was a relationship built on mutual, deep understanding of what was needed,' Botha said.
IOL News
10-05-2025
- Politics
- IOL News
Remembering Douglas Gibson: A tribute to a champion of South Africa's democracy
Former DA chief whip and ambassador Douglas Gibson has passed away at the age of 82. Image: Leon Muller / Independent Newspapers President Cyril Ramaphosa has paid tribute to former DA chief whip and ambassador Douglas Gibson, who passed away at the age of 82 on Friday. Ramaphosa said Gibson, as a veteran of South Africa's political transition in 1994, will be remembered for his service as a Member of Parliament, chairperson of the then Democratic Party federal council, chief whip of the opposition, and as a senior member of the Democratic Alliance. 'I extend my condolences to Mr Gibson's political home, the Democratic Alliance. As our ambassador to Thailand for four years until 2012, Douglas Gibson flew our flag and built strong relations with Thailand, bringing our two nations closer together in a variety of mutually beneficial ways,' he said. Gibson's death was announced by DA leader John Steenhuisen on Friday. 'On behalf of the Democratic Alliance, I would like to formally extend our deepest condolences to the friends and family of a great South African, Douglas Gibson," Steenhuisen said. Steenhuisen also said Gibson was a consummate politician and public servant, who held a position in the party as the chief whip of the erstwhile Democratic Party and later the DA in Parliament. He served as South Africa's ambassador to Thailand between 2008 and 2012. Gibson, who served as an MP from 1994 until 2008, was a lawyer by profession. Steenhuisen also said Gibson was a fierce fighter for freedom in South Africa who, even to the last days of his life, took no prisoners in advocating for what he and his party believed. 'He brought to all he did an immense capacity for compassion, retaining throughout his career an accessibility and clear humanity in all engagements. At the same time, he was a great ambassador for our country, our party, and the values of non-racialism and freedom.' He said Gibson was someone who could step up and show the best of South Africa, the DA, and the values they hold dear. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ 'His charm and intelligence allowed him to reach out to others and find common ground on which to build. We will miss him dearly. And as we carry on the fight he so long waged, for a better South Africa, we will strive to honour his memory and his great efforts throughout his life to make our country a place of real freedom and vibrant opportunity,' Steenhuisen said. Former DA leader Tony Leon said Gibson was his dear friend and great soldier in the democratic. 'We were in the trenches together since 1986 - some wins, some losses and always on his part principled consistency and endurance and lots of laughs. Go well DG and enjoy eternal rest,' Leon said.
Eyewitness News
10-05-2025
- Politics
- Eyewitness News
Former DA Federal Chair Douglas Gibson remembered as 'forthright and true patriot'
Tshidi Madia 10 May 2025 | 8:45 Former DA chief whip Douglas Gibson. Picture: Eyewitness News JOHANNESBURG - As the DA mourns the loss of its former federal council chairperson, Douglas Gibson, he is being remembered as being forthright and a true patriot. Gibson, who died on Friday, started his political career when he was just 8 years old. He resigned from Parliament in 2007, explaining during his farewell speech that he chose to become an activist purely because he disliked the policies of the former regime. ALSO READ: DA confirms passing of former chief whip Douglas Gibson Gibson went on to serve South Africa as its ambassador to Thailand. "Umuntu ngumuntu ngabantu" (I am because we are) is a proud mantra many a South African leans on when asked to describe the vision that sets this country apart from many others. It's the very same ideal that Gibson has credited for his own approach to politics. Gibson spent much of his life in public service, having spent 16 years in provincial government, 5 years in the local sphere, and 16 years in the National Assembly. He will be remembered for his role in Parliament as well as the peace talks that led to South Africa's transition, which he maintained - until the very end – was the right direction for the country. "What an adventure it's been. From the early 1950s onwards, I saw all the steps that were taken as Apartheid took hold, as a public representative for most of the 37 years, I was able to help in a small way to dismantle that edifice and move our country," he was once quoted as saying. The DA says he'll also be remembered for his accessibility and clear humanity in all his engagements.
Eyewitness News
09-05-2025
- Politics
- Eyewitness News
Late DA stalwart Douglas Gibson described as a fierce fighter for freedom in SA
JOHANNESBURG - Democratic Alliance (DA) stalwart Douglas Gibson has been described as a fierce fighter for freedom in the country, who advocated for that vision until his last breath. The 83-year-old, who died on Friday morning, once served as South Africa's ambassador to Thailand. Gibson served as chief whip of the democratic party, which went on to become the Democratic Alliance. He was also the party's federal council chairperson between 1997 and 2000. Gibson was an accomplished and spirited politician who, right to his last days, remained loyal to his political party and the vision it had for the country. Last year, he told EWN's Politricking with Tshidi Madia that he was proud of the direction in which his party was moving. "We are the most multiracial party, and we want to see that there must be a place for everybody. We are the party of the Constitution of South Africa, which is a beautiful piece of work. I am so proud of having played some part in it 30 years ago." The DA has lauded Gibson for the immense compassion it said he retained throughout his career. His career, though, has been tainted by some of the commentary he's made, including descriptions of former DA leaders such as Lindiwe Mazibuko, Mmusi Maimane and Mbali Ntuli as failed experiments. Last year, he also took a dig at Tshwane Mayor Nasiphi Moya "If Dr Moya becomes the mayor she's going to do what the ANC and EFF tell her to do. She's not going to be the boss." The party is yet to release more details around his passing.
