Former minister dr. Essop Pahad died early Thursday morning. The former minister in the presidency was 84 years old.
Pahad between 1999 and 2008 under ex-pres. Thabo Mbeki served as minister in the presidency.
Pahad and Mbeki, then still deputy president, began to work together after the first democratic elections in 1994.
Pahad reportedly passed away in his sleep. The cause of his death is still unknown at this stage.
“We mourn the passing of a veteran of our struggle, 65 years after he took his first revolutionary step to become a member of the Transvaal Indian Congress,” Pres. Cyril Ramaphosa said in response to the news about Pahad’s passing.
“Essop Pahad was a thinker and strategist who used his understanding of the human condition, injustice and inequality at the national and international level for our transition to democracy.”
Ramaphosa expressed his condolences to Pahad’s next of kin.
“Amidst the toll his public life took, Pahad was deeply devoted to his wife, Meg. He was a proud and loving father and grandfather who will be greatly missed. May his soul rest in peace.”
