ANC must reaffirm Nokwe values, says Ramaphosa

President Cyril Ramaphosa led the nation in paying tribute to former ANC secretary-general Duma Nokwe, whose remains were reburied on Saturday, saying his commitment to justice helped shape the party’s democratic and constitutional vision.

Nokwe, who was buried next to his wife Vuyiswa Malangabi-Nokwe at Westpark Cemetery in Johannesburg on Saturday, was the first black advocate to be admitted to the Johannesburg Bar.

He passed away while in exile in Lusaka in 1978 at the age of 50. His mortal remains were only repatriated to South Africa last year.

“We are confirming our belief in his conviction that the law is to be used not merely to secure courtroom victories, but to achieve profound, lasting change,” Ramaphosa said.

During his eulogy at a Special Provincial Official Funeral Service at the Walter Sisulu Hall in Randburg, Ramaphosa said it was a homecoming long overdue of a hero who had been exiled