27 October 2008
The SACP notes with sadness the passing away of our veteran, Comrade Billy Nair, and expresses its condolences to his family, friends and comrades.
Comrade Nair was a pioneering trade unionist and Communist, to whom the working class and poor of our country owe an enormous debt. Even after he served a 20-year sentence on Robben Island, he was relentlessly hounded by the security police, and also arrested after the unbanning of the movement in 1990 for his “Operation Vula” activities, but he never faltered. He was forever focused, resilient, brave. He was an inspiration to all of us.
He worked closely with other great leaders of the working class movement of our country such as Moses Mabhida, Steven Dlamini, Harry Gwala and others.
He was a recipient of the SACP’s “Moses Kotane Award” for his outstanding contribution to the SACP. He remained as an “ex officio veteran” of the Central Committee of the SACP, although his health precluded him from participating in recent years.
If we take pride in his activities as a communist and unionist, we know the whole movement values his contribution. He also served with distinction in the ANC, MK, UDF and Natal Indian Congress.
It is fitting that he is to be given an official provincial government funeral on Thursday.
The General Secretary of the SACP, Comrade Blade Nzimande will lead our delegation to the funeral.
Hamba Kahle, Cde Billy!
Contact:
Malesela Maleka
SACP Spokesperson - 082 226 1802