New Age2.png ANC coordinator Patrick Baleka dies TNA Reporter, The New Age, Johannesburg, 24 July 2015 The ANC in Gauteng says it is deeply saddened by the untimely death of Patrick Mabuya Baleka, who died in hospital in Tshwane on Sunday. Baleka had been ill for the past month. The party described Baleka as a humble, dedicated progressive internationalist who was passionate about international solidarity work. At the time of his death, he was the coordinator of the ANC Gauteng Provincial executive commitee EC international relations subcommittee. He was also South Africa's coordinator of the Western Sahara Solidarity Forum. Baleka began his political activism when he was in high school. He became influenced by Pan Africanism and began to attend the underground political school that was held in Soweto. ANC Gauteng spokesperson Hope Papo said when the decision to establish the internal youth wing of the PAC was taken, Baleka was approached to serve in that structure. He was elected as the first national organiser of the Azanian National Youth Unity. "He was assigned to organise and mobilise the youth in the Vaal where he formed close relations with then newly formed Vaal Civic Association. His activism alongside that of the Vaal Civic Association, Vaal Council of Churches, Cosas and Fosatu resulted in the September 3, 1984 Vaal uprising. "Baleka was arrested owing to his role in the uprising. "At the age of 25, he became accused number one in the famous Delmas treason trial alongside comrades Popo Molefe, Terror Lekota, Tom Manthata, advocate Gcina Malindi and reverend Tiego Moselane, among others. "He established a long lasting friendship and comradeship with fellow trialists," Papo said. When PAC leader Zephania Mothopeng was released from Robben Island, Baleka was assigned as his personal assistant. He left the PAC after 1994 to join the ANC. Papo said Baleka will be remembered for his commitment and selflessness in the service of the people and the struggle for freedom. He said his relentless and tireless spirit has left an indelible mark in the international relations arena. "His international solidarity work touched many lives. "All those who were fortunate to meet him will surely miss his spirit of volunteerism, his animated character and how he engaged in ideological debates about bettering South Africa, Africa and the world." Baleka will be buried tomorrow in Tsolo in the Eastern Cape. From: <http://tnaepaper.co.za/DRIVE/main%20edition/24072015/epaperpdf/4.pdf> http://tnaepaper.co.za/DRIVE/main%20edition/24072015/epaperpdf/4.pdf -- -- You are subscribed. This footer can help you. Please POST your comments to [email protected] or reply to this message. You can visit the group WEB SITE at http://groups.google.com/group/yclsa-eom-forum for different delivery options, pages, files and membership. To UNSUBSCRIBE, please email [email protected] . You don't have to put anything in the "Subject:" field. You don't have to put anything in the message part. All you have to do is to send an e-mail to this address (repeat): [email protected] . --- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "YCLSA Discussion Forum" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to [email protected]. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
