Eulogy for Comrade Hendrik Visser by the Premier of the Northern Cape, Mrs Hazel Jenkins, in Springbok, on Saturday 04 June 2011

The family, relatives, friends and comrades of Comrade Visser,
Leaders of the Church,
Representatives of the Local Municipalities and the District Municipality,
Leadership of the ANC and Alliance partners,
Esteemed Members of the Community;

We are all gathered here united in our desire to grieve the loss of an extraordinary Comrade, Grandfather, Father, Uncle and Visionary leader in the Namakwa region by the name of one Hendrik Visser.

Comrade Visser’s death is a profound loss not only to his family, but to all of us. Although no words can really help to ease the pain and loss we collectively bear, his family must know that they are very close in our thoughts and prayers. We pray that God will comfort you and will sustain you both during the bereavement period and in the future.
During my days as an elected local government representative, we used to exchange valuable information as to how to advance our local government developmental agenda of serving the poor and improving their plight. We viewed local government as an important sphere of government which is closest to our people. It is at this sphere of government where the provision of basic services such as water, electricity, health services and infrastructure development becomes a key element of service delivery.
Comrade Visser was a remarkable man who championed the cause for development, particularly for the poor and downtrodden. He paid special attention to young people and promoted the interests of women and disadvantaged communities.

He was held in high esteem by us all and always made his presence felt when he was in the company of people because of his self confidence and righteousness.

He was truly an outstanding community leader with a glowing personality who made a remarkable contribution to the community he represented.

This seasoned cadre of our movement has left an indelible footprint in the history of our country to build a better life for all our people.

Comrade Visser dedicated his entire life to uphold the noble values of peace, companionship, tolerance, equality and justice.

In sanctifying his memory we will always value his friendship, his guidance, his frankness and his infectious sense of humour.
Comrade Visser remained loyal and dedicated to the African National Congress right to the very end. When opportunists, political weaklings, renegades and the uninformed jumped on the band wagon to join an insignificant breakaway cabal which is now spineless and in complete tatters, Comrade Visser stood his ground, mindful that he would never betray the legacy of the great leaders who sacrificed so much for our Mother Land. Besides the Church, his other home remained and always was the African National Congress.

Underpinning all these attributes, Comrade Visser, was your deep sense of concern for the poor, the downtrodden and the marginalised and these attributes are evident from the words of the esteemed speakers before me and certainly from those that will come after me.

Ladies and Gentlemen, in celebrating the memory and legacy of Comrade Visser, especially in the context of our collective and painful fight for a free and democratic South Africa, kindly join me in giving thanks to the Lord for the life of a man we should all be so proud in calling our Father, our Reverend, our Comrade, our Friend, our Leader. I am certain that many of us in this hall, in our province and our country in general will emulate your exemplary life in bringing about a just and better world.
Ladies and Gentlemen,

• The person laying here is a man of faith
• He served God to the best of his abilities
• He tried to be a Good Christian.
• He tried to serve others with humility and compassion.

There is a saying that goes that those we love don’t go away. They walk besides us everyday, unseen, unheard, but always near, still loved, still missed and very dear, wishing you hope in the midst of sorrow, comfort in the midst of pain.

We pray God will comfort you, and send Angels from above, giving sweet peace within your hearts and surrounding you with eternal love.

Goodbye Comrade Visser