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Over 250 people from all over the province yesterday (02/04/2002) converged at the East London city hall in the afternoon to listen to African National Congress (ANC) leaders paying tribute to the late Minister for Safety and Security, Mr Steve Tshwete.

Mr Tshwete died at the 1 Military Hospital in Johannesburg on April 26th 2002 - on the eve of the country 8th Freedom Day celebrations.

Paying tribute to Thangana - as Tshwete was affectionately known amongst his comrades and friends - Eastern Cape Premeir Makhenkesi Stofile said Tshwete was one of the best organisers and political educators the ANC has ever had.

"He was not a theoretical politician during his youth, he will not tell you about workshops he attended but will tell you about meetings he disrupted, that's how practical he was," said Stofile.

"But unlike others, he was very impatient," said Stofile to the delight of the crowd.

" It is very difficult to accept his death. We had no idea that we would be talking about him," added Stofile. "We miss him already and it is as if he would come in now as he was always late," he joked.

Tshwete was an uncompromising patriot and revolutionary. "Unlike others, who become patriotic when everything is going right, Commrade Steve (Tshwete) was not a psuedo revolutionary," he told the mourners.

He said Tshwete was the founding member of the United Democratic Front and was also responsible for the founding of Contralesa.

He was not selfish and never once placing his family ahead of the struggle. "Steve played his role and played it excellently"

He had no appetite for people delaying the progress and the pace of the struggle.

He played a very important role in the unification of sport and was very instrumental in the founding of the National Sports Council, and the transformation of sports. "Initial, him, Sam Ramsamy wanted to launch two cups. One for Soccer to be known as the Mandela Cup and rugby as OR Tambo Cup"

As Minister of Safety and Security he played critical role in unifying members of the South African Police Service (SAPS), as he did when he brought together sporting bodies during his tenure as the Minister of Sport and Recreation.

He was a healer in a time of healing, and a revolutionary at the time of struggle. The passing of Comrade Steve Tshwete marks the passing of an era, may his family be consoled by his shinning example, said Stofile.

The national and provincial leadership of the ANC, MPs, MPLs, MECs, Business community, ministerial fraternity, government officials.

Messages of condolences from the Seve Biko Foundation, USA Embassy, Lebanon and Tanzania and the ANC were also read.

Enquiries: Thamie Mgwigwi at 082 414 7768

Issued by Office of the Premier, Eastern Cape

3 May 2002