Dr Zweli Mkhize, Premier of the province of KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) has delivered a moving tribute to the late Minister of Public Service and Administration Mr Roy Padayachie during his funeral service held at the Sahara Stadium, Durban today.
“I rise to pay tribute to a friend, a loving husband to Sally, liberation stalwart, a strategist, a revolutionary, and most of all, a leader of our people.
“Today South Africa, and the Province of KwaZulu-Natal in particular, is experiencing once again the pain of losing a leader of stature, a man who has been an invaluable assert not only to his own local community but to the whole region, the whole province, the whole and ultimately the whole continent, Comrade Roy Padayachie.”
“Over the past days since the passing on of Comrade Roy, we have all heard and read from the news media accounts of his life and achievements. Indeed, Comrade Roy was a remarkable man, who throughout his adult life made outstanding achievements in disparate fields which would ordinarily never be combined in the career of one person.”
“There is no need for me to repeat Comrade Roy’s outstanding academic qualifications and achievements today, but he was truly a most remarkable man who ultimately gave up what could have been a highly lucrative career in the private sector and dedicated himself to serve all of us with humility.”
“His dedication to serve his country to bring about a better life for all South Africans, especially the downtrodden who are still struggling today to eke out a decent life on a daily basis is a rare quality.
“Comrade Roy had a vision way beyond his own community. We know that from humble beginnings as a community activist he went on to join regional struggle structures, notwithstanding his holding a comfortable job in industry.”
“Indeed, were it not for his vision, compassion and love of his country, he could have easily have rested in his comfort zone and enjoyed his well-earned fruit of his educational achievements together with his family.”
“We will forever cherish and fondly remember his selfless contribution during the long, trying and often testing circumstances during the long hours and days of negotiations for the establishment of a new South Africa at Kempton Park.”
“During those seminal days Comrade Roy was one of the select groups of comrades who showed a remarkable level-headedness. He is one of the comrades who is renowned to have been patient, listened carefully and always came up with well-reasoned and considered input. For that we will remain forever grateful, for without people with a temperament similar to his our country would not be where it is today.”
“As government and people of this beautiful country, South Africa - we owe it to those who still suffer a life of depravation, squalor, poverty, ill health, lack of education and development to work even harder in order to see them live better lives.”
“We owe it also to fallen Comrades such as Comrade Roy to ensure that their sacrifices in life were not in vain. Comrade Roy was the epitome of selflessness in the face of a growing sense of self-gratification in the civil service.”
“This is evident through all the eulogies that we’ve so far heard in the media, where not a single negative word has been mentioned about his sterling career of service to his people.”
“South Africa has lost a great leader who all of us who had the privilege to know are honoured to have worked shoulder to shoulder with and are today laying to rest.”
“To members of his family, his wife, children and extended family – we are with you in your sorrow. Not only was Comrade Roy one of you, but in your grace you allowed him to serve his country selflessly, which undoubtedly led to you spending uncountable hours, days and months apart from him. For this we are also grateful.”
“His demise in a foreign land is in itself a fitting tribute and testimony to Comrade Roy’s dedication to his work. A quiet unassuming man, had he passed on outside of the eye of the public, Comrade Roy would have gone as he lived, with a quiet dignity which belied the champion of human rights that he really was.”
“Therefore as we bid our sad farewell to Comrade Roy, we wish to assure everyone who was close to him, his family especially, that your loss is shared by all the citizens of the Republic, for Comrade Roy through his dedication not only belonged to you, but was a true patriot who fought for all his compatriots at the time of their greatest need.”
Enquiries:
Ndabezinhle Sibiya
Spokesperson for Premier Zweli Mkhize
Cell: 082 375 4742
Regi Khumalo
Media Liaison
Cell: 079 751 6108
