After news of David Ras’ passing, veteran Journalist Jacci Babich spoke tenderly about the man who is known in the Joburg northern suburbs for his stance in fighting for the rights of his community.
Ras, an 85-year-old community leader from Sundowner, passed away while in the Sandton Clinic suffering from an unknown illness.
Speaking from Limpopo, Babich said he knew Ras very well as she used to report extensively on the work that he did within the northern suburbs.
Ras was the chairman of the Northern Federation of Ratepayers’ Association and was very involved with the Randburg Chamber of Commerce as well as the community in general.
According to Babich, Ras was a man with a ‘big heart’ ‘who always looked after the interests of the residents’.
Ras will be remembered for his massive campaign that garnered 86 000 signatures from the residents boycotting rent back in the 90s. “When the ANC took over in 1994 they tried to take out all the municipalities which would have seen many of them losing money. With Ras and other fellow members of the association, they lobbied against the move which ultimately never succeeded,” she said referring to when the ANC merged municipalities.
He will be forever be remembered as he was involved in the lives of many people within the northern suburbs, said Babich adding that everyone in the community needs to thank him.
Ras was a chartered accountant by profession and he also had businesses in Randburg. He was defined as a caring person by his community.
Ras will be laid to rest this weekend and Babich said further details of his burial are yet to be communicated.
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