By: Sammy Claasen
Hamba Kahle Bazil Kivedo. Held van Worcester jy het ons skielik verlaat.
One of the last generation of true activists who battled as an MK soldier against the Apartheid Regime left us today. Comrade Bazil Kivedo brought up in Worcester from a Coloured working class family. He placed a strong emphasis on his spirituality and church life. A Moravian at heart.
He succeeded in school and university. Became a lecturer in Sociology at University of the Western Cape and later employed as Research Assistant at the University of Capetown under the guidance of Prof. HW Van der Merwe.
He worked alongside the late Steve Biko and joined Mkonto We Sizwe (MK) in 1981 until it was disbanded in 1991. His Post Apartheid mission and work was to help establish an environment of forgiveness and healing of our land.
He was inaugurated as the Exeutive Mayor of Breede Valley Municipality based in Worcester in 2011. He was an ardent member of the Worcester Hope and Reconciliation Process. He was also a Lay Preacher in the Moravian Church. He became a Member of the Provincial Parliament and served as Chairperson of the Standing Committee on Education in the Western Cape.
He was indeed a proud South African. We honour this brave soldier and his contribution and fight against Apartheid. He sacrificed tremendously to bring about a free, just and democratic South Africa. He remained such a positive and optimistic leader and influencer of note because he was at the forefront fighting the case of the poor, the deprived, the marginalized and the rejected. He understood the cause and identified with the plight and struggle of the poor.
The country lost a dear revolutionary and champion. He laid down his own life as a sacrifice to the oppressed. He was one of the last generation of humble servants of our struggle. His political influence shaped our socio economic understanding and belief system.
We are saddened by his death today. We sent our sincere condolences to his family. What a great man who stood up for all of us. We salute you. We praise your teachings and mentorship.
The name Bazil Kivedo will be missed. The establishment might not chose to honour you BUT your people will respect your name and legacy. Your mission was clear. You were a man of God. Allow me to quote from your own words.
“The reason is simple: God gave me also a second chance therefore my claim to fame is that I am a sinner saved by grace!!!”. Close quote
Die grootgees is huistoe. Rus in vrede kameraad. Jy was n ware toonbeeld van opoffering. n Waardige Suid Afrikaanse patriot en kampvegter. Suid Afrika en ons hele land buig hul hoof in eerbied vir u bydrae. Held van Worcester. Salute.
Baie dankie Bazil Kivedo.
Patriotic Alliance
Western Cape
Deputy Provincial Leader
Sammy Claassen
