Mayor conveys condolences on the passing of three South African greats

EThekwini Mayor, Councillor James Nxumalo has expressed his deepest condolences to the families of former Constitutional Court Justice Zola Skweyiya, veteran actor Roland Mqwebu and anti-apartheid activists Chief Morris Fynn.

Skweyiya, who joined the ANC in 1956 died on Tuesday, 01 September 2015, at the age of 76. At the time of his passing, Skweyiya was the inspecting judge of prisons, having only served in the post for four months.

Nxumalo described him as a dedicated leader and a distinguished member of the judiciary. “Skweyiya worked for the people of South Africa throughout his professional life and dispensed his responsibility as a judge with humility,” he said.

Nxumalo said the father of four had strong Durban links, having studied law at the then University of Natal from 1963 to 1967. He was admitted as an Advocate in 1970 in KwaZulu-Natal, and also became an Advocate of the high courts in Lesotho and Namibia. He then became a judge of the KwaZulu-Natal High Court in 2001, and was promoted to the Constitutional Court the following year. He retired from the Concourt last year.

“Our City and country is poorer by the sudden departure of this legal giant. We wish to express our deepest sympathy to his family, especially his wife Mrs Sayo Skweyiya and children. Thank you for sharing the glorious years of your life with the people of our country particularly during our darkest time of apartheid,” he said.

On Mkhize, Nxumalo said he was saddened and shocked by the loss of yet another arts legend. “Mqwebu was one of the people who were at the forefront of acting. He, along with other veteran actors opened the doors for the crop of actors we have now,” he said. Popularly known for his role on SABC1’s sitcom Emzini Wezinsizwa, Mqwebu, who was born in Inanda died from renal failure at eThekwini Heart Hospital and Centre last week, aged 74.

Best remembered for protesting against segregated Durban beaches, Fynn died at his home in Ezimbokodweni (Umbogintwini), south of Durban, on Monday, 31 August 2015, after suffering a heart attack. He was 84 years old. “Fynn was truly a national treasure,” said Nxumalo. “He was awarded the eThekwini Living Legends Awards in 2009 because of his role in making the City and country non-racial.”

“We convey our deepest condolences to the families of these three gentlemen‚ their friends and fans from the different corners of South Africa and the world. Alwehlanga lungehlanga.”