Cape Town – Family, friends, comrades and colleagues of Dr Anwah Nagia paid their final respects to the freedom fighter yesterday as he was laid to rest.
Nagia passed away on Monday from Covid-19-related complications, his daughter Amal said.
The founder of District Six Museum, founder of Mustadafin Foundation and chairperson of the District Six Beneficiary and Redevelopment Trust was remembered as a man who stood up against injustice and who championed the rights of the poor and marginalised.
The deputy president of the Muslim Judicial Council, Abdul Khaliq Allie, said Nagia’s legacy would live on.
“We are saddened by the passing of Dr Nagia and our sympathy goes to his wife, children, friends and the colleagues he worked with. He was a human activist by excellence, he tirelessly contributed in working for the poor and underprivileged.
’’He was a fearless voice, he established a Palestine Museum against all odds. He struggled. Table Mountain has weathered many storms and Nagia, like the mountain, also weathered many storms. He stood firmly, determined, resisting all forms of challenges and what we see today is his vision, and we pray that it will be brought to completion,” said Khaliq Allie.
Mustadafin director Ghairunisa Cassiem described Nagia as a humble man who was committed to serve the destitute people with humanity.
“He was a comrade who became a brother. We have lost a great giant who committed himself to the oppressed.
“He did not forget his upbringing and where he comes from as a successful businessman. He was that person you know you can call on even though he was my boss. During this time of Covid-19, even though he knew that he had to be housebound, he was still doing what he does best: serving humanity.
’’He was about giving not receiving. He was a humble man who never treated himself as a person who is above others,” said Cassiem.
Cape Times