The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) mourns the passing of former Member of Parliament, comrade Onel De Beer.  We offer his family our deepest sympathies and best wishes during this painful period.

Comrade Onel had grown up in the African National Congress (ANC), rising from being a youth activist to the ANC’s Regional Secretary on the West Coast and later Mayor of Saldanha Bay and eventually a Member of the National Council of Provinces.

Onel was driven by the call to liberate his people, serve the community under the banner of the liberation movement.  He was never tempted by trappings of power.  He was a soft-spoken comrade who had come a long way from the small Karoo town of Aberdeen.

Whilst Onel had made an indelible impact in the liberation struggle in his own way, in particular along the West Coast, he has departed far too early.  His memory will be cherished by those who had the opportunity to know this humble son of the struggle.

Hamba kahle uMkhonto.  Qhawe lama qhawe. Rus in vrede kameraad.

Issued by COSATU

Matthew Parks(COSATU Parliamentary Coordinator)

Cell: 082 785 0687

Email: matthew@cosatu.org.za