Oom Bey: the tributes flow in …

“AN African icon”, a “true son of Africa” and a man who “helped re-affirm the dignity of all South Africans” were among the tributes pouring in for anti-apartheid cleric Beyers Naude yesterday.

Former president Nelson Mandela said Naude was a “brave man as he stood up against apartheid at a time when it was an unpopular thing for white people to do and he did so at the expense of his family and his freedom”. The SA Council of Churches, for which Naude became general secretary at the height of apartheid in 1985, said:”We mourn the loss of a great African.”The Methodist Church of Southern Africa called Naude an “African Icon” and said it was thanks to people of his calibre that South Africa could celebrate 10 years of democracy.”This humble man with an incisive mind, whose courage of his Christian convictions saw him being stripped of his dignity by his own church, inspired many to stand up against an unholy system, condemned by the world,” a statement from the church said.The Young Communist League said:”It is through the efforts, actions and commitment of Oom Bey and many other leaders who took apartheid down to where it belongs, in history.”The African National Congress lauded Naude for following his conscience in condemning apartheid despite the ire of the community in which he was born.”In taking the strong moral stand that he did, Naude helped to reaffirm the dignity of all South Africans, strengthened the cause of non-racialism, and earned the love and respect of the majority of South Africans.”- Nampa-SapaThe SA Council of Churches, for which Naude became general secretary at the height of apartheid in 1985, said:”We mourn the loss of a great African.”The Methodist Church of Southern Africa called Naude an “African Icon” and said it was thanks to people of his calibre that South Africa could celebrate 10 years of democracy.”This humble man with an incisive mind, whose courage of his Christian convictions saw him being stripped of his dignity by his own church, inspired many to stand up against an unholy system, condemned by the world,” a statement from the church said.The Young Communist League said:”It is through the efforts, actions and commitment of Oom Bey and many other leaders who took apartheid down to where it belongs, in history.”The African National Congress lauded Naude for following his conscience in condemning apartheid despite the ire of the community in which he was born.”In taking the strong moral stand that he did, Naude helped to reaffirm the dignity of all South Africans, strengthened the cause of non-racialism, and earned the love and respect of the majority of South Africans.”- Nampa-Sapa