President pays tribute to fallen stalwart Vivian "Aunty Vivvy" Daniels
President Cyril Ramaphosa has paid tribute to the late struggle stalwart Vivian Magdalene Sarah Daniels – widely and fondly known as Aunty Vivvy – who has passed away at the age of 82.
The President has extended his sympathy to Aunty Vivvy’s family and friends and the many comrades alongside whom she served in the fight against apartheid and for basic services to communities around Cape Town. The President’s condolences extend also to the African National Congress as Aunty Vivvy’s political home.
Aunty Vivvy passed away on Wednesday, 26 June 2019. Her funeral will take place in Cape Town on Saturday, 6 July 2019.
As a resident of Bellville South in the northern suburbs of Cape Town, Aunty Vivvy became active in politics in 1979/80 and went on to become Secretary of the Bellville Residents’ Association.
This role was a precursor to her involvement in the Cape Areas Housing Action Committee and the United Democratic Front, where she worked alongside stalwart Mama Albertina Sisulu, Dr Allan Boesak and other leaders.
Aunty Vivvy faced police brutality and, among other contributions, lent psychosocial and material support to families affected by police violence and to activists detained in Western Cape correctional facilities at different points in time.
President Ramaphosa says Aunty Vivvy’s selfless activism sets a powerful example to leaders today.
“We have lost a great stalwart and role model with the passing away of Aunty Vivvy. At the same time, her close and loyal relationships with - and work for - communities around Cape Town have ensured that her legacy lives on.
“Aunty Vivvy was an outstanding servant of the people – a leader whose humility and hard work motivated her only to do and seek what was best for the communities she served, without regard for personal gain or public acclaim.
“This is the kind of leadership we need once more in our country as we engage in the renewal of our society and as we pursue inclusive and sustainable growth.”
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