Tributes for Beyers Naude
Thabo Mokgola
7 September 2004
Tributes have been pouring in from all over the country following the death of anti-apartheid cleric Beyers Naudé who died on Tuesday aged 89.
In a statement, the Presidency Naudé's death had filled all who valued the country's democracy and freedom with a sense of profound sadness.
"We are deeply moved as we recall his dedicated life in opposing tyranny and furthering the cause of compassion and justice. 'Oom Bey' will live on in the life of our nation as it draws strength and aspiration from principled people like him. He was an icon of our liberty."
Fellow cleric and anti-apartheid counterpart Archbishop Desmond Tutu described Naudé as "undoubtedly one of the greatest sons of our soil".
He said Naudé's integrity led him to obey his conscience whatever the cost.
"Although he continued to love his community, he did not allow this to deflect him from the truth as he saw it. While his community rejected him he was embraced
with great affection and admiration by the black community.
"The international community admired him highly for his principled stand against a vicious system," said Tutu.
Presiding Bishop of the Methodist Church of Southern Africa Ivan Abrahams paid homage, describing Naudé as "a humble man with an incisive mind, whose courage of his Christian convictions saw him being stripped of his dignity by his own church".
He said this sincerity inspired many to stand up against an unholy system that was condemned by the world.
Wheelchair-bound for the past five years, Naudé was born in Roodepoort, Johannesburg, on 10 May 1915 as a son of a prominent Broederbond leader.
For the next twenty years after his marriage, Naudé ministered to various congregations throughout the country and was attached to the political philosophy [apartheid] of the National Party.
However, following the Sharpeville massacre in 1960 he reassessed his views after the apartheid
police killed 69 black people who were demonstrating against draconian government laws.
Naudé underwent an intense bout of soul searching and Bible study ending with his development of an alternative church theology that condemned racism.
He was ostracised by the white church and mostly by the Afrikaans-speaking community for his views and endured constant harassment from the apartheid authorities. His passport was confiscated many times to prevent him from travelling abroad because of his views against apartheid.
A close friend of former President Nelson Mandela, Naudé was a prominent figure in the CODESA negotiations between the African National Congress and the then ruling party and now defunct National Party, leading to the establishment of the democratic dispensation.
He was the founder member of the Christian Institute, an ecumenical organisation he helped establish, to unite Christians of all ethnic groups, denominations and languages in South Africa.
Naudé was also the editor of the Christian Institute's publication Pro Veritate.
Speaking at his friend's 80th birthday, Mandela said Naudé and his wife, Ilse paved the way during tough times.
"Oom Bey and Tannie Ilse paved the way during difficult years; and they remain in the company of our lodestars. Their force of example and message are simple: We must build one another and build together," he said.
Naudé, who is survived by his wife and four children, will be cremated on Saturday and his remains scattered in Alexandra township.
Source: BuaNews
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