It is with heavy hearts that the trustees and staff of the Nelson Mandela Foundation heard today of the passing of Ntate Keorapetse William Kgositsile. Our thoughts are with his family, friends and comrades at this most difficult time.
His many accomplishments as an activist, author and intellectual are recorded indelibly in South Africa’s public record. He was a trusted presence in almost every process designed by progressive formations in our country post-1990 to imagine the ‘post-apartheid’.
The Foundation worked with him on a number of projects. We will remember him as much for his analyses as for his humour and his willingness to hold up a mirror rather than argue for a particular position. “We will miss him,” said Foundation Chief Executive Sello Hatang. “His phone call was the first one I received after the announcement of my appointment back in 2013. His words of encouragement and wisdom then have stayed with me.”
We have lost a friend. South Africa has lost a patriot.
Hamba kahle Bra Willie.