Praise for ‘proud patriot’ Modise
He was an all-in-one, extremely gifted and yet so humble
INTERNATIONAL Relations and Co-operation (Dirco) Minister Lindiwe Sisulu has paid tribute to South Africa’s former Chief of State Protocol and recipient of the National Order of Luthuli, Billy Modise, describing him as a “proud patriot” who worked for the advancement of Africans.
Modise was remembered at an official memorial service in the Dirco Conference Centre in Johannesburg yesterday.
President Cyril Ramaphosa declared a Special Official Funeral for Modise, who died last Wednesday at the age of 87 following a long illness.
Modise served as democratic South Africa’s first black high commissioner to Canada.
In her address, Sisulu said that Ramaphosa’s declaration was an honour bestowed on distinguished persons and indeed befitting a recipient of the National Order of Luthuli.
“It is with the deepest sense of loss that we come together here now, in our case for the fifth memorial service in as many months, to pay tribute to one of our leaders, one of our finest, the eminent ambassador, Mr Billy Modise.
“We all know today that we are poorer with the passing on of our leader, our father, our uncle, our comrade and our colleague as we face the many challenges that lie ahead. Let us find solace and inspiration in the words: ‘The Hero dies, but his memory lives on’,” said Sisulu.
As Chief of State Protocol, Modise had effortlessly enhanced the prestige and standing of the country to great eminence, she said.
Modise’s passing came on the heels of other Struggle stalwarts and diplomats who had died recently.
“This is very hard as it comes fast on the heels of the departure of other outstanding leaders of our Struggle and servants of our people and diplomats – Mama Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, Zola Skweyiya, George Nene, Faith Radebe and Eddie Funde.
“We, all of us, have heard speaker after speaker emphasising the invaluable lessons we have learned from Ambassador Billy Modise.
“And I hope and trust that many of us will carry these lessons for ever and pass them on to the next generation. We will endeavour to live up to the ethos and dedication, hard work, honesty and selflessness that defined this great leader of our country,” Sisulu said.
“He had the composure of a sage – no, better put, he had the characteristic composure of the sage that he was. He possessed an extraordinary calm passion which many a time helped him to discharge the necessary accuracy of expression and judgment on very complex issues,” she said.
Affectionately known as Uncle Billy, Modise joined the ANC in 1955 on the train while en route to Fort Hare to study medicine.
“Ambassador Modise’s personality and character were well suited to his diplomatic calling. He was a gentleman par excellence, who combined the rare traits of a skilful negotiator with those of an astute activist, a diligent man with the master’s touch, a Picasso in the art of diplomacy with his gentle hand, a humanist, an internationalist, a devout father and a loving husband.
“He was an all-in-one, extremely gifted and yet so humble,” Sisulu said.
Ramaphosa said on Twitter: “He served his country selflessly and diligently. He was a distinguished gentleman and leader of our people who contributed exceptionally to the achievement of a South Africa free of racial oppression and to the building of a non-racial, non-sexist and democratic country.”
Modise’s Special Official Funeral will be held tomorrow at Marks Park, Emmarentia, Johannesburg at 9am.