Tributes continue to pour in from across the world following the passing of the late Reverend Jesse Louis Jackson Sr, a towering figure in the American Civil Rights Movement and a steadfast supporter of South Africa’s liberation struggle.
Known for his unwavering commitment to justice, equality, and human rights, Jackson’s influence stretched far beyond the borders of the United States, making him a global moral authority.
His family confirmed his passing in a statement from Chicago, Illinois.
“It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of civil rights leader and founder of the Rainbow PUSH Coalition, the Honourable Reverend Jesse Louis Jackson Sr. He died peacefully on Tuesday morning, surrounded by his family,” the statement read.
Across the globe, leaders and civil society figures paid homage to Jackson’s legacy. In South Africa, President Cyril Ramaphosa described Jackson’s contribution to the anti-apartheid movement as “towering” and deeply significant to the country’s democratic journey.
“On behalf of all South Africans, I extend my condolences to the Jackson family, the Rainbow PUSH Coalition and the many organisations within the American Civil Rights Movement and in causes elsewhere in the world who were inspired by the Rev. Jesse Jackson’s principles and leadership,” Ramaphosa said.
“Rev Jesse Jackson’s irrepressible campaigns against apartheid and his support for the liberation struggle were towering contributions to the global anti-apartheid cause.”
Jackson’s efforts were formally recognised in South Africa in 2013, when he was awarded the National Order of the Companions of O.R. Tambo in Silver for his lifelong commitment to justice and equality.
“The award honoured his excellent contribution to the fight against apartheid. We are sad to bid farewell to a global moral authority who gave voice to struggles within the United States as well as struggles for fundamental human rights and democracy around the world, including our own,” Ramaphosa added.
Beyond his international achievements, Jackson had a profound personal impact on those who worked closely with him.
Chicago-based Bradley Akubuiro, partner at Bully Pulpit International, told the Saturday Star that working with Jackson taught him the importance of investing in people and recognising potential where others might not.
“My own story with the Reverend taught me the power of investing in people. When I first came to PUSH, I was just a college student who wanted to get involved. He had no reason to believe in my abilities when I was 19, but he put me on policy work that mattered, then put me on air representing the campaign. Some people might consider that reckless, but for him, it was intentional. I’ve carried that forward in my own mentorship, looking for people others overlook.”
Akubuiro recalled how Jackson balanced pressure and diplomacy in his work, organising boycotts against corporations and then sitting down with the same executives to find solutions.
"And he also showed me that change requires action. He had this quote: ‘Time is neutral and does not change things. With courage and initiative, leaders change things.’ That’s exactly how he operated. He would organise boycotts against corporations, then sit down with those same executives to build solutions. He created the pressure, then stayed in the room to forge the solutions. Too many leaders think they have to choose between being tough or being empathetic. Rev. Jackson proved that’s a false choice. Before he passed, he put his support behind my book on crisis communications. A quote from him is on the front cover. That he could support me one last time means the world to me.”
Jackson’s influence, Akubuiro said, was not limited to the United States.
“Rev Jackson showed that it’s possible to be both a domestic and international leader, that the struggle for justice isn’t confined by borders. His legacy reminds us that civil rights, human rights, and social justice are interconnected global movements. The work he did building coalitions across impossible divides, making the moral case in language that united rather than divided, the world needs that now more than ever.”
He recalled Jackson’s deep personal care for individuals. “Beyond the formal structures, he cared deeply about individual people. I remember one night when he grabbed my phone to call my girlfriend after I’d missed a date because a meeting with the President of Rwanda ran long. He didn’t have to do that. He was just such a compassionate individual that no matter the big thing or the small thing, he was going to take the opportunity to help.”
As tributes continue to flow, Jackson is remembered not only for his political and civil rights work but also for the compassion and mentorship he extended to those around him.
Saturday Star
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