Former President Nelson Mandela on Monday paid tribute to his former Rivonia Trial co-accused and South African Communist Party (SACP) leader Rusty Bernstein who died at his home in Johannesburg on Sunday.
Mandela said in a statement the non-racial character of the struggle for liberation owed much to the efforts and contributions of people like Bernstein.
”He made a deliberate and considered choice to forgo what could have been a life of comfort and ease to join forces with his fellow South Africans in the fight for democracy and freedom,” he said.
Mandela described Bernstein as ”a brave and committed comrade, a clear thinker” and a person of whom he held fond memories.
”We think of Hilda (Bernstein’s wife) and the children, and send our sincerest condolences to them… We know that they shall take comfort from the fact that so many South Africans today mourn with them the passing away of a great patriot and freedom fighter.”
SACP secretary-general Blade Nzimande expressed shock at Bernstein’s death and described him as one of the stalwarts, not only of the SACP but of the entire liberation struggle.
”At least we are satisfied that Comrade Bernstein died having seen the fruits of his struggle for a democratic South Africa… People like him will always be an example to younger generations… The SACP dips its banner in memory of this great liberator,” he said. – Sapa