Advisor to the Minister of Transport
27 March 2007
It is with great sadness that the Minister of Transport, Mr JT Radebe shared
his loss with the country on the passing away of Dr Ian Phillips, Special
Advisor to the Minister of Transport. Dr Phillips was admitted to the Christian
Barnard Memorial Hospital on 26 February 2007 suffering from a (Cytomegalovirus
induced) pneumonia, a complication of his reduced immune status caused by the
Human Immuno Deficiency Virus. Ian passed away in the early evening of 26 March
2007.
Dr Ian Phillips had served the people of South Africa with humility and
dedication. He had been an active and loyal member of the African National
Congress and South African Communist Party for almost three decades. He served
as a member of the ANC underground and later Member of Parliament on the
provincial list from KwaZulu-Natal and later joined in early 1996 the Minister
of Public Works, Mr JT Radebe in a capacity as Special Advisor. Ian had served
the ANC Government with honour.
Many activists and their families will remember Ian for his role in
defending political prisoners during the dark days of apartheid, using his deep
knowledge of the history of our country as a rigorous and principled academic
as well as his commitment to a free, non-racial, non-sexist and democratic
South Africa, to provide information that would mitigate against harsh
sentences imposed under the apartheid regime. Since joining Parliament and
later Government in his capacity as Special Advisor, Dr Phillips was present at
and influenced many historical moments in the transformation of South
Africa.
Paying tribute to his long-time friend, comrade and Special Advisor,
Minister JT Radebe said: "Ian was more than a friend and comrade, he was a
brother to me. We did many things together, especially during the time of
violence in KwaZulu-Natal. We fought many battles together. I feel half of me,
half of my brain is really gone."
We have lost a great patriot, an internationalist, a revolutionary and a
brave fighter who was focused and diligent, paying attention to details in
order to solve many challenges of nation-building, democracy and
transformation.
At this difficult time, the Minister and Department extend heartfelt
condolences to the family and friends of Ian Phillips. We put his two sisters
and their children in our prayers and wish them strength during these difficult
times. Through these prayers and messages of support, they should feel that
they are part of a bigger family.
Ian will be sorely missed by all of us, family, friends and colleagues.
A Memorial Service will take place on Thursday, 29 March at the Old Assembly
Hall in Parliament @ 12h00 and the funeral service is scheduled for Sunday, 1
April 2007. Further details around the funeral service will be communicated to
the public in the coming few days.
Contact Person:
Mpolokeng Makhari
Chief of Staff
Cell number: 082 908 8976
Issued by: Department of Transport
27 March 2007
Source: SAPA
