RAVI PILLAY
Yusuf Bhamjee was a special cadre and leader who cut his political teeth in difficult times motivated by nothing else but the moral imperative of fighting a just cause with resilience and integrity.
Much has already been written in the hours since his passing. Tributes have rightly flowed recognising his sterling role in the struggle for our freedom, his contribution to governance and building the democratic state, and his continued activism even after leaving political office.
He became politically conscious and active from an early age inspired by the activism of other members of his family and later such luminaries as AS Chetty and Chota Motala.
Together with others such as Yunus Carrim their activism turned Pitermaritzburg into a centre of resistance and struggle.
I have often remarked that Pietermaritzburg in the eighties was a beacon for the vision of a non-racial society because of the work of these activists and others such as Reggie Hadebe, Zweli Mkhize, Martin Wittenburg, who also passed away recently, and Thami Mseleku.
Yusuf was active in civil society contributing to the Development Study Research Group at UKZN (PMB) focussing on povert, unemployment and inequality. At the time he was lecturing in political science at the university.
His activism in civil society, the Natal Indian Congress, the UDF and the ANC spans some 50 years. He served as a member of the KZN Provincial Executive Committee of the ANC and head of its political education sub committee for several years. Indeed as recently as a few weeks prior to his passing, he continued with his regular political classes for activists in the northern areas of Pietermaritzburg.
Yusuf served in all three spheres of government - in the National Assembly in Cape Town, as a member of the KZN Provincial Legislature and as Mayor of the Mgungundlovu District Municipality.
Dr Sbu Khuzwayo who served as Municipal Manager under Bhamjee's mayorship paid tribute to his leadership and described how they took the municipality from a state of virtual bankruptcy and dysfunctionality to a "well oiled machinery driven by the principles of good governance. Next in line was to put systems in place to turn the municipality into a water centric, results driven and customer focused' entity. We left the municipality with a positive cash balance, extensive reserves, a trail of three consecutive clean audits and a culture of work ethic and clean governance".
Yusuf was deeply committed to building a non-racial society based on economic justice. He detested unbridled greed and exploitation. He practised his teachings and lived a life of simplicity and integrity.
We did not always agree in our political discussions and he could be quite robust, even harsh but never disrespectful.
Yusuf was also a talented athlete and cricketer and made a significant contribution to organised non racial sport under the broad SACOS banner.
He was an active and senior member of the NIC 130 Organising Committee, which last year executed an intensive programme marking the130th anniversary of the founding of the Natal Indian Congress.
Yusuf was not blind to the failings of and challenges facing our democracy. He argued that the best prospects for our future lay in the renewal programme of the ANC and a revival of civic activism. He was not a populist and understood the complexities of our political dynamics nationally, and especially in our province of KwaZulu-Natal, which requires careful but also brave navigation.
He spent much time in recent years encouraging and nurturing younger leaders. While insisting on discipline and political integrity, he was reluctant to give up hope on the potential of younger activists even when they engaged in conduct which made many furious.
I attended his funeral last Friday and saw a non racial group of mourners from all walks of life - veterans of our struggle, other community leaders, those who worked closely with him, those whose lives were touched by the work that he did and the many ordinary citizens who came out of deep respect for the man and leader that he was.
Yusuf would be pleased that he brought such diversity together. He would also want us to continue the struggle for ethical leadership, unity, non-racialism, equality and economic justice.
The NIC Legacy Committee salutes an outstanding cadre and leader of the broader Congress Movement. Rest in eternal peace dear comrade, activist, leader and friend.
Ravi Pillay on behalf of the NIC Legacy Committee