Comrade Reggie Govender is mourned

Reggie Govender (62) died in early December 2020.

He was a well-respected member of society and served both his community and country through the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC).

The following tributes were issued on behalf of Chief Whip Selvan Chetty and MEC Ravi Pillay respectively.

“I have known Reggie Govender for just over 30 years. In that time he was a brother, comrade and a friend.

In the early years his concern for the plight of the poor and those who suffered from the extreme violence in our communities was what won him the admiration of many locally and in the region.

He served in many political and community structures over the years until the country attained political freedom.

In keeping with his public service spirit, he chose to serve the country through the IEC.

His dedication and passion saw him rise within the organisation to a senior level.

Despite his rise to senior levels, he never lost his humility, calm and passion for serving others.

He continued to assist the poor and needy until his last days before being admitted to hospital.

I have many fond memories of him going the extra mile to assist local residents in need.

Cllr Selvan Chetty
Chief Whip
Ray Nkonyeni Municipality

Many of us have forgotten what the meaning of ‘comrade’ is.

It means someone you can rely on in times of your greatest danger.

It means integrity, courage, sacrifice and selflessness.

It is a title most befitting Cde Reggie.

Cde Reggie hails from a pioneering Govender family residing at Izotsha.

He became politically conscious at a young age and was an active member of the Natal Indian Congress under the leadership of Cde SR Joseph.

Indeed I was privileged to be part of that group, as was Cde Grace and many other activists.

It was a difficult period with the security police breathing down to our necks.

It was natural that we all graduated to the African National Congress (ANC) inspired by the Freedom Charter.

Then we faced perhaps our greatest test during the violence of the 1990s.

Cde Reggie was there defending our people.

Many died. We remember our leaders such as Cdes Cyril Shezi, Michael Nsimbi and Ray Nkonyeni.

It is perhaps appropriate that almost throughout our democratic era Cde Reggie worked at the IEC, doing his work diligently, professionally and with integrity.

Again he was defending our people, defending democracy.

But perhaps most importantly, Cde Reggie was a gentle and loving soul.

Ravi Pillay
MEC

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