By Alicia Mmashakana
President Cyril Ramaphosa has conveyed his condolences on the death of theologian, former Member of Parliament, and former speaker of the Limpopo legislature, Dr Tshenuwani Simon Farisani. He was 76.
“Dr Farisani has left us as part of a succession of stalwarts who have passed on recently and whose dedication to our freedom and national development demands both our mourning and reflection.
“From the pulpit of his congregations in Venda and the then Transvaal, to the podiums of Parliament and the speaker’s chair in Limpopo, Dr Farisani’s commanding baritone oratory conveyed his love for humanity and his fearless, sacrificial fight for our freedom.”
Farisani was a Lutheran minister who opposed apartheid from the pulpit and was detained for his activism in the Black Consciousness Movement and the Black People’s Convention, where he was a close associate of Steve Biko.
Following the conclusion of apartheid, Farisani represented the African National Congress in the National Assembly and subsequently held a position as a Limpopo MPL, after which he served as Speaker of the Limpopo legislature.
Ramaphosa extended his condolences to the family, friends and associates of Farisani, who was a co-founder, along with the president and the late Tshifhiwa Isaac Muofhe, of the Black Evangelic Youth Organisation in the early 1970s.
The Limpopo government also expressed its sorrow.
“We will remember him as that man who continued to advocate for justice to be served, especially on the victims of the VBS saga until his last days.
“Wherein, when the liquidator, after the recovery of 25%, indicated that municipalities will start receiving their money. Dr Farisani fought to say if there are people who must be prioritised, it’s those grannies who took their pay in money and deposited it at the VBS.”
She said the province was grieving the loss of a son, who dedicated himself entirely to its people.
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