Hundreds of mourners, including several ANC NEC members, gathered on Monday the Kensington home of founding United Democratic Front (UDF) member and struggle activist Johnny Issel, who died on Sunday.
Issel, 64, died at Groote Schuur Hospital. Family friend Rashid Seria said that he had been admitted to hospital on December 26 and released on January 5.
Seria said he had been taken back to hospital on Sunday and died at 3.30pm. It is believed that he suffered renal failure.
Minister in the presidency for planning Trevor Manuel, who was one of Issel’s close friends, described Issel as a fighter whose spirit could not be tarnished by the apartheid regime.
“Johnny is one of this country’s inspirational freedom fighters,” said Manuel.
“Despite being shot at, detained and tortured, Johnny stood strong and never gave up.
“He sacrificed so much. We salute a brave man today.”
Deputy international relations minister Marius Fransman, who was also at the funeral, said Issel dedicated his life to the people.
“He grounded himself in activism.
“He wasn’t after positions, but was a true servant of the people.
“He will be sorely missed.”
Mourners - among them UDF activist and journalist Ryland Fisher, High Court Judge Siraj Desai, Stellenbosch University Chancellor Professor Russel Botman and top policeman Jeremy Veary – stood outside the house reminiscing about Issel’s life.
Issel’s body was carried from his home to the Kensington Mosque, and then to the Johnston Road cemetery in Athlone, where he was buried according to Muslim rites.
One section of Seventh Street in Kensington was closed and people lined the road to pay their last respects to Issel.
ANC stalwart Chris Nissen addressed mourners at the mosque, remembering the days and nights he and Issel had spent printing pamphlets to mobilise people in the 1980’s.
ANC Women’s League members, wearing green and black, sang struggle songs as his body was carried out of the mosque.
Issel was a member of the ANC’s military wing, Umkhonto we Sizwe (MK), and worked closely with trade union movements and student organisations. He was also the founding editor of the Grassroots community newspaper.
MK Veterans’ Association secretary Desmond Stevens called Issel a “giant of a man”.
“He will continue to live in the hearts of those he leaves behind, so he will not truly die,” said Stevens.
Issel leaves his six children, Julian, Laila, Fidel, Yassir, Ruschka and Yoshiki, and five grandchildren.