“Our heroes die unknown”
Minister Sisulu says Nene was one of many ignored Struggle stalwarts
“Our stalwarts die unknown, unrecognised and unhonoured. This is wrong.”
These were the words of International Relations and Cooperation Minister Lindiwe Sisulu at the memorial service of late ANC stalwart George Nene in Pretoria yesterday.
“People who have given so much can’t leave this world dishonoured,” she said.
“This country has been built on a great deal of sacrifice and we need to find a way of giving back to those who gave this great gift of freedom while they live.”
Sisulu said people like Nene, who was the former ambassador to Switzerland and Nigeria, gave everything they had to make it possible for South Africa to be where it is today.
“I wish there was a better way to thank him,” she said.
“I wish there was a better way in which the country could recognise him for his sterling contribution, firstly in creating the conditions that allowed our young to revolt and take us into the phase of open struggle, secondly for helping lay the foundations of our international relations and thirdly for serving us with humility and utter dedication against a great deal of odds.”
Sisulu also used the memorial service to announce that former deputy foreign minister Aziz Pahad, who was also at the memorial, had agreed to rejoin the department.
Pahad served as a deputy foreign minister under former presidents Nelson Mandela and Thabo Mbeki.
Pahad questioned why Nene was moved from his position of deputy director-general and appointed special adviser to then international relations and cooperation minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane.
“It is still a mystery to me why he suddenly moved from the position of deputy directorgeneral,” Pahad said yesterday.
Sipho Seakamela, who worked with Nene, said Nene had confidence in the youth.
“He was able to identify young talent in the department and deploy young officers to strategic assignments.”
Nene will be laid to rest today in Soweto.