Zola Skweyiya a noble man: Ramaphosa

Ramaphosa delivered the eulogy at Skweyiya’s funeral in Pretoria on Saturday.

The former cabinet minister passed away aged 75 earlier this month. 

Skweyiya was Minister of Public Services and Administration in 1994 and in 1999 he became the Minister of Social Development. 

Ramaphosa told mourners that Skweyiya would never have sold the birthright of his people.

“A man who would choose death rather than betray the trust of his people,” Ramaphosa said.

The president said Skweyiya held the dreams of the dispossessed, the marginalised and the suffering people dear to his heart.

He added the country will continue to draw strength and inspiration from Skweyiya’s way of life.

“Since Zola Skweyiya has passed away there has been an outpouring of grief and expressions of admiration from many South Africans and from people across the world.”

Ramaphosa said Skweyiya’s gentle soul will forever be missed.

“As we continue draw guidance from the collective wisdom of our stalwarts to renew our country and revitalise our organisation.”

In honour of the spirit of the late stalwart government will work hard to deliver better services to the communities, Ramaphosa vowed.

“We will intensify the struggle for the complete restoration of the dignity of our people.

We will intensify our struggle to return the land to the people and build an inclusive economy that benefits all South Africans.

“It is a struggle to eradicate the privileges of the few and to entrench human rights as the basis of our democratic dispensation.”

Ramaphosa said the past week’s violent protests in Mahikeng would have upset Skweyiya. 

“Like the violence that he confronted in the early 1990s, such violence can only serve the interests of those opposed to transformation and the progress of our people.”

Ramaphosa called on the country to unite in the memory of Skweyiya and resist those trying to delay economic freedom for all South Africans. 

The former minister was laid to rest at Pretoria East Cemetery.