ANC veteran Achmat Semaar passes away

Veteran ANC activist Achmat Semaar passed away on Monday at age 72, the party has confirmed.

Seemar was also the father of well-known journalist Karima Brown.

A statement from ANC spokesperson Dennis Cruywagen released on Monday night announces Semaar’s passing: “It is with great sadness that we wish to announce the passing of one of our most dedicated, respected and loved members.

“A father of six children and grandfather to 14, he was an activist for most of his life and never lived far from or stopped caring and fighting for the ordinary people.”

Cruywagen also told News24 Semaar was a “great servant of the people”.

“My father was an activist all his life. He was always involved with ordinary people. He was a father to many and was incredible. If he did not work for the ANC, he would have died,” Brown told Power FM.

Western Cape ANC secretary Faiez Jacobs described Semaar as “a giant in Mitchells Plain”.

“He made an impact on so many lives and was a father to hundreds of young people who were persecuted, arrested, tortured or hunted by the apartheid state.

“In the time known as the struggle, he was a beacon of light, a voice that comforted and brought help. He made it his business to care for detainees and their families and made sure that they were not forgotten. Truly, he was one of our greatest sons.”

The ANC will be consulting family members and details of Semaar’s memorial service will be shared in time.

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