Mbeki saddened by Rabbi's death

2005-09-15 17:27

Pretoria - President Thabo Mbeki expressed sadness on Thursday at the death of SA Chief Rabbi Emeritus Cyril Harris, and extended his condolences to his family and the Jewish community.

Mbeki said: "Rabbi Harris will among other things be remembered for the bold stand he took against the apartheid regime upon assumption of his role as Chief Rabbi in 1988.

"His commitment to the values of freedom, democracy, justice and equality for all was truly felt by all freedom-loving peoples of South Africa and the world."

He said Harris had unflinchingly lived up to the imperatives of his faith - that all were equal in the eyes of the Lord. In so doing, he had symbolised an exceptional sense of righteousness and justice.

Reconciliation, religious tolerance

Mbeki said: "In as much as he was the spiritual leader of the SA Jewish community, his spirituality touched all of us, especially at that crucial stage of transition from apartheid to a democratic country.

"He never hesitated to share platforms of prayer with leaders from other faiths, thus contributing immensely to the important historical task of making us understand the virtues of reconciliation and religious tolerance."

Mbeki also hailed Harris and his wife, Ann, for their contribution to uplifting the poor.

"Even when his duties as the Chief Rabbi imposed exacting demands on his time, he still managed to set aside enough time to attend to the needs of those disadvantaged by the country's history of greed and racial segregation."

Mbeki said his legacy would inspire South Africans to hold aloft the values of democracy, equality and inter-faith co-operation.

Harris died in Hermanus on Tuesday after an 11-month battle against cancer.

He would have turned 69 next Monday.

- SAPA