Inspiring activist Vassen remembered

THE death of Struggle lawyer Ramesh Vassen, 70, has left his grieving family remembering him for being an inspiration to all who knew him.

Vassen died yesterday after suffering a stroke. He was being treated at the Rondebosch Medical Centre.

His son Mukesh, 46, said he would always remember getting words of encouragement from his father.

“More than anything, he was a human rights activist and lived for principle, and not material. I will remember him for being an inspiration to us, and a man of focus.”

He said the family was happy to have been able to celebrate his father’s birthday on March 10, despite his condition.

He was remembered as a “courageous leader in the apartheid era” by ANC Western Cape secretary Faiez Jacobs.

“We call on other veterans to remember a time where we were once united because of people like Ramesh.

“The reason why the ANC has been successful and defeated apartheid was because of Struggle activists like him,” Jacobs said.

The executive director of the Ahmed Kathrada Foundation, Neeshan Balton, remembered a fond moment involving the Struggle icon.

“Vassen’s visit to Kathrada in Pollsmoor prison gave Kathrada the opportunity to see a child for the first time in two decades,” he said. –