The General Secretary of the South African Council of Churches, Mr. Eddie Makue, said today that South Africa had lost a great leader and patriot with the passing of Eric Molobi.

In a letter to Mr. Molobi's wife, Martha, Makue recalled Molobi's central role in setting up the Joint Enrichment Project in 1986, an SACC initiative that seeks to equip youth for leadership in both church and community.

"Eric sought to expand the opportunities available to many young people by introducing entrepreneurial skills training into youth development work," Makue wrote. "His exceptional leadership qualities made him the ideal person to get this important project off the ground and earned him the abiding respect of the young people who worked with him."

Mr. Molobi's remarkable leadership abilities were also apparent in his long tenure as Executive Director of Kagiso Trust. "As we join with colleagues this year in celebrating the 20th anniversary of Kagiso Trust, we recognise that Kagiso's success has been due in large measure to Eric's talents and expertise," Makue said.

"We remember Eric as someone who had a profound and unfaltering commitment to economic justice. He was tireless in his work for the upliftment and empowerment of the poor."

The General Secretary recognised that Molobi had paid a heavy price for his dedication to the ideals of democracy, justice and human rights, both during repeated periods of detention and afterwards. "There is no question that the treatment he suffered during his imprisonment had a grave impact on his health," Makue said. "However, we are proud that Eric made the principled and selfless choices that he did; by doing so, he made a substantial contribution to our nation and to a democratic future for all South Africans."

On behalf of the Council, Makue extended condolences to Mr. Molobi's wife and family and also his colleagues at Kagiso Trust. "We share your grief," he said, "but we also give thanks to God for Eric's life and for the opportunity to have known and worked with him."

For more information, contact: Mr. Eddie Makue (082 853 8781)