ANCYL saddened by Carel Boshoff's death
2011-03-16 22:30
Cape Town - The ANC has noted "with regret" news of the death of Orania founder Professor Carel Boshoff, who died at the age of 83 on Wednesday, spokesperson Jackson Mthembu said.
"Our condolences go to his family, friends, relatives and the community of Orania," he said in a statement.
ANC Youth League spokesperson Floyd Shivambu also extended condolences to Boshoff's family and friends.
"The ANCYL is saddened that he passed away before he could fully embrace the non-racialism brought forth by the democratic government in South Africa," he said.
"We are saying fully embrace [him] because in our interaction with Professor Boshoff... he assured us that he accepts the democratic government of the ANC at national, provincial and local level, but maintained that the Afrikaner community should live separately to conserve their traditions and culture."
Shivambu said that "unlike other right wing forces", Boshoff was always willing to "engage with other people, even those he did not agree with".
The ANCYL regretted his death because "he had maximum prospects of understanding and embracing non-racialism".
Earlier, the Freedom Front Plus paid tribute to Boshoff, who reportedly died of cancer.
"It is with great sadness that I have heard of the passing away of Professor Carel Boshoff this afternoon [Wednesday] in Orania," FF Plus leader Pieter Mulder said in a statement.
Boshoff would be remembered as an Afrikaner intellectual, a cultural man, a writer and a theologian.
As the founder of Orania, he challenged Afrikaner intellectuals to develop constructive solutions which would ensure the future of Afrikaners in Africa, he said.
In his career, Boshoff served as a missionary in Soweto, but also made huge personal sacrifices in the interest of the Afrikaner.
"This led to his honesty and sincerity as [a] wise leader [being] appreciated and respected by people from all race groups," said Mulder.
President Jacob Zuma recently visited Boshoff in Orania and expressed his appreciation for Boshoff's contributions over many years, as well as for the entrepreneurial spirit and successful projects in Orania.
"On behalf of myself and the Freedom Front Plus, which had been represented by Professor Boshoff in the Northern Cape Legislature, I express my sympathy and condolences with the Boshoff family. We pray for their comfort," Mulder said.
Afrikanerbond chairperson Pieter Vorster extended sympathy to Boshoff's family.
"He was a former chairperson of the Afrikaner Broederbond and in this capacity he served the cause of the Afrikaner. We honour his memory," Vorster said in a statement.
- SAPA