South Africa and the world woke up this morning (29 May) to the devastating news of the passing of one of the country’s best-known political and struggle veterans, Dr Tshenuwani Farisani.

The 77-year-old icon from Gwadzha-Khalavha outside Thohoyandou passed away in the early hours of the morning.

His death was confirmed by the Dr Tshenuwani Farisani Foundation, which he founded. The foundation’s CEO, Mr Kenny Mathivha, made the announcement.

Dr Farisani had been hospitalised for several months with an undisclosed illness.

Last Saturday (24 May), a prayer service was organised by the South African Communist Party (SACP), of which he was an executive member, to pray for his recovery. The meeting, attended by community members, civic structures and various political organisations, was held at Dzindi Primary School in Itsani.

A politician, theologian and former Lutheran minister, Farisani was widely regarded as a father of the liberation struggle both locally and abroad.

During the apartheid era, he was one of the country’s most prominent black clergymen and a leading voice of anti-apartheid liberation theology from his diocese. In the early 1970s, he co-founded the Black Evangelical Youth Organisation with Cyril Ramaphosa. He was also active in the Black Consciousness Movement and served as president of the Black People’s Convention from 1973 to 1975.

He was arrested four times and, according to Amnesty International, was recognised as a prisoner of conscience. He later gave testimony abroad about the torture he endured at the hands of apartheid police.

Following the advent of democracy, he became one of the few leaders from the Vhembe region to serve as an MEC in the Limpopo provincial government.

Even after retiring from public office, Farisani remained deeply engaged in community initiatives. Among these was a computer literacy programme at Dzindi Primary School, which has empowered many in the local village.

This is a developing story. More details will follow.