Anti-apartheid activist laid to rest
Anti-apartheid stalwart Pathasarvasvaran Samotharan “Charm” Govender has been remembered as an outstanding activist, thinker and leader who set the standard for integrity.
Govender, 59, died in the early hours of Monday after suffering a heart attack while on a family weekend break in the Drakensberg.
During his student days Govender was active in student, community, political and grassroots struggles in Chatsworth, the greater Durban and Kwazulu-natal.
He was arrested and detained under the state of emergency in 1986. He served in the underground structures of the ANC and SACP.
After the 1994 elections Govender received a medal from former president Nelson Mandela for his service to the country.
He was at the time of his passing in the collections and risk management department of the South African Revenue Service. His wife Maggie Govender, who is a member of the Kwazulu-natal provincial legislature, said he was a caring father who did everything to the best of his ability to raise his sons according to the values he held dear.
“He also was a person of integrity and was strongly principled. He was focused on doing the right thing.”
Maggie Govender said: “We are devastated by our loss. He leaves big shoes to be filled. He contributed immensely to the liberation struggle but not in a high profile position.
“His contribution was done at a level where he didn't look for personal recognition or reward. He assisted and worked with high profile leaders in the country.”
Ravi Pillay, MEC for Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs, described Govender as an outstanding activist, thinker and leader.
"He dedicated his life to the cause of our people – to the best public interest. Over more than four decades he was active as a student, in the NIC, UDF, ANC underground, MK and civic bodies such as the Kharwastan Civic Association and Gandhi Development Trust.
“Detained and tortured by the security police of the time, he never faltered,” said Pillay.
Govender was laid to rest on Tuesday. He is survived by his wife Maggie, his mother, two sons and daughterin-law.