Tribute to one of the most celebrated and inspiring leaders in South Africa

The death of Neil de Beer, leader of UIM, has gripped many of us with a deep sense of shock. As we grieve, we thank Almighty God for the memorable years that he gave to this beloved purveyor of justice and humility.

His death gives us cause to ponder how he touched our lives. His commitment to accountability and the dignity of the human person will be gratefully remembered.

The political world pays tribute to his immense and unique contribution to peace and justice and his emphasis on the dignity and worth of every individual from conception to the grave.

His courage in denouncing maladministration and his relentless fight against corruption over the years will be remembered by many generations to come. We are devastated to lose our national symbol of truth, love and hope.

Few individuals have had a greater impact,not just in the political arena,,but socially and morally,on our political landscape as did Neil.

He is by any measure one of the most celebrated and inspiring leaders in our nation. He fearlessly condemned political arrogance, as he fought for peace and justice with equal vigour.

During the span of his extraordinary life, he fought hard for a just world.Beloved Neil was a rare breed,a passionate human rights defender who took on the mighty,the corrupt,the powerful, and the defiant in his crusade for total equality.

His message to the whole of humanity was that our wounded nation was yearning for peace..He was absolutely fair to both victims and to the architects who participated in immoral practices..He exposed the monstrosity of ill-governance in graphic 3D.

The brilliant and sparkling light that illuminated our country and our political landscape amidst darkness and chaos has gone out.

History will remember Neil as the most elevating and inspiring man of our age.It is this quality of all embracing warmth which stands out most prominent in his character.

Our only consolation in this hour of immense grief is that his life of truth,tolerance,and his immense quest for justice and total equality towards fellow human beings inspire our troubled nation  to save itself by following his noble example.

In Africa’s hour of grief,our continent can be proud of producing a son whose fight for truth  was relentless.The light that illuminated our heartland and indeed the suffering masses amid darkness has suddenly gone out.

We lost a symbol of  excellence,r,who fearlessly confronted the most  powerful..May Our Lord grant Neil de Beer a lofty place in Heaven..

A symbol of individual excellence has left our earthly shores, his legacy in fighting inept governance,,will never be forgotten.Hamba Kahle, Neil de Beer..

Farouk Araie

Gauteng