Latest news with #Farisani
Eyewitness News
2 days ago
- Politics
- Eyewitness News
'Resilient, and a man of unwavering principle' - President Cyril Ramaphosa pays tribute to anti-apartheid activist, Reverent Tshenuwani Farisani
JOHANNESBURG - Resilience - the word many used to describe the late reverend Tshenuwani Farisani - a respected anti-apartheid activist and former member of Parliament. Mourners, including senior government officials, gathered at the University of Venda in Thohoyandou, Limpopo on Saturday to honour the man who they say never wavered in his fight for liberation. ALSO READ: Dr Tshenuwani Farisani remembered as a dedicated public servant Farisani passed away on Thursday at the age of 76, following an undisclosed illness. President Cyril Ramaphosa, who delivered the eulogy, reflected on Farisani's courage, recalling how he was arrested three times during Apartheid for his activism. In 1987, Farisani went into exile in the United States, but later returned - a move Ramaphosa has described as a powerful symbol of his commitment to justice and freedom. "He was a man of unwavering principle, nothing could sway him from what was right, from his dedication to the cause, the people of South Africa and their total emancipation."
IOL News
2 days ago
- Politics
- IOL News
Ramaphosa and ANC leaders pay tribute to struggle stalwart Dr Dean Tshenuwani Farisani
President Cyril Ramaphosa and other ANC leaders have paid tribute to Dr Tshenuwani Farisani who was given a special official funeral on Saturday Image: Presidency President Cyril Ramaphosa has described ANC stalwart, Dr Tshenuwani Dean Farisani as a dedicated public servant, a mentor and a man who committed his life to uplifting disadvantaged communities. Ramaphosa delivered the eulogy at Farisani's funeral, held at the University of Venda in Thohoyandou, Limpopo, on Saturday where scores of mourners including Limpopo Premier Phophi Ramathuba, minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni and many other dignitaries paid their last respects to the revered ANC stalwart during a Special Official Provincial Funeral Category Two. "Here is a reflective message. A funeral of a man of highest stature. As we say farewell to this remarkable soul. We should celebrate a life that is well-lived. A life that is lived with conviction. with purpose and extra-ordinary vision. Dean Farisani was not just a leader in title, but a beacon of hope, integrity and justice and he adhered to his principles. We honour him for that, and we thank him for having been such as great gift," he said. During his eulogy, Ramaphosa also described Farisani as a visionary who was committed to fighting poverty and empowering poor communities stating: "Dean Farisani soon became attracted to liberation theology, and its message that the true Christian faith demands active resistance to all forms of oppression and solidarity with the poor.' 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 Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading Ramathuba described Farisani as a father figure who will be remembered as someone who was close to the poor and chose to live among them. "Ordinary people from all walks of life, especially in this province will be described as a father who raised us. I can attest to his teachings which shaped many of us. If you look at the Lutheran church, most of us who are active politically, it was mainly his teaching which groomed us to understand what the meaning of serving is, "she said. "Today we honour the memory of Reverend Tshenuwani Simon Farisani, a monumental figure in the revolution and an altruistic leader who devoted his life to the struggle and the pursuit of an improved life for our citizen "He mobilised the entire church to fight apartheid. We did not celebrate him enough during his lifetime. As we lay him to rest, we need to commit ourselves that we will not allow his contribution to be diminished," said Ntshaveni. Last week, on hearing for the former Speaker of the Limpopo Provincial Legislature's death, Ramaphosa expressed his deep sadness at the passing of the renowned theologian, freedom fighter, and human rights activist, who passed away at 76 following an illness.
The Herald
2 days ago
- Politics
- The Herald
'A man of unwavering principles': Ramaphosa delivers eulogy at activist cleric Tshenuwani Farisani's funeral
He developed an interest in liberation theology and its message that the true Christian faith demands active resistance to all forms of oppression and solidarity with the poor. He became involved with underground political organisations like the Black People's Convention, the black consciousness movement. It was at this time that Farisani travelled extensively across the country. In his many travels, he visited Mphaphuli High School, where Ramaphosa was a pupil. 'Farisani was a guest at our school's flourishing debating society, which a number of us, including Judge Raulinga, Tshifhiwa Muofhe and people like Willy Mudau, had set up. Farisani and I formed an immediate and lasting bond of friendship, comradeship and loyalty based on respect and love. He opened to me the radical interpretation of the Bible, which Farisani was later to become famous for. 'He argued the Lutheran church must turn away from political conservatism and become an instrument of opposition,' said Ramaphosa. He said Farisani was a courageous revolutionary who inspired a generation to reclaim their pride and to stand up for their rights. 'I was one of those who were hugely inspired by him. He was, in addition to everything else, a renowned academic, a prolific scholar whose writings gave voice to the voiceless. He was a guide and a mentor to many.' Ramaphosa said Farisani's activism continued into the democratic era, where he became an MEC and speaker of the legislature in Limpopo province. He said those roles placed him in a position of power and influence, yet did not change him. 'He was a servant leader who came, served and left. When he saw corruption being perpetrated by those who are trusted with public funds, he was vocal and scathing in his criticism, and that is why he was one of those when the VBS looting happened who spoke out. 'He spoke out to a point where a number of people started to hate him, but it never moved him. The foundation that bears his name continues to be an influential voice in the public space in advancing social justice. Neither beatings nor torture could make Farisani surrender his principles' . TimesLIVE
Eyewitness News
3 days ago
- Politics
- Eyewitness News
Ramaphosa pays tribute to anti-apartheid activist and reverend, Dr Tshenuwani Farisani
JOHANNEBSURG - President Cyril Ramaphosa has paid tribute to anti-apartheid activist and reverend, Dr Tshenuwani Farisani, describing him as an extraordinary man who will be dearly remembered. Ramaphosa was speaking at Farisani's funeral at the University of Venda in Thohoyandou, Limpopo. The reverend is being honoured with a special official provincial funeral. Family, mourners and top government officials, including president Ramaphosa and Limpopo Premier, Dr Phophi Ramathuba, gathered to pay their final respects to reverend Farisani. A Lutheran minister and black consciousness activist, Farisani played a key role in the struggle against Apartheid. His activism led to his appointment as a member of Parliament and later Speaker of the Limpopo provincial legislature in 2004. The 76-year-old died on Thursday after suffering from an undisclosed illness. President Ramaphosa said: "These experiences instilled in him a deep sense of understanding injustice. It was planted in the mind and the head of Dr Farisani, the seeds of political consciousness when he was still a teen." He is survived by his wife, two daughters, and a son.
Eyewitness News
3 days ago
- Politics
- Eyewitness News
Dr Tshenuwani Farisani remembered as a dedicated public servant
JOHANNESBURG - Anti-apartheid activist and reverend Dr Tshenuwani Farisani is being remembered as a dedicated servant of the people, who committed his life to uplifting disadvantaged communities. President Cyril Ramaphosa delivered the eulogy at Farisani's funeral, held at the University of Venda in Thohoyandou, Limpopo, on Saturday. Farisani passed away on Thursday at the age of 76, after battling an undisclosed illness. ALSO READ: Ramaphosa pays tribute to anti-apartheid activist and reverend, Dr Tshenuwani Farisani As a long-serving member of the African National Congress (ANC), he represented the party in Parliament and went on to become the speaker of the Limpopo Provincial Legislature in 2004. In 2022, the Farisani Foundation was established, with a focus on education, economic empowerment, agriculture, technology and information. The foundation has played a vital role in helping children in remote rural areas access quality education. President Ramaphosa said Farisani was a visionary who was committed to fighting poverty and empowering poor communities. 'Dean Farisani soon became attracted to liberation theology, and its message that the true Christian faith demands active resistance to all forms of oppression and solidarity with the poor.'
