SOWETAN

Former sports minister Makhenkesi Stofile has died

By Buchule Raba and Ernest Mabuza | Aug 15, 2016 | 

Arnold Makhenkesi Stofile‚ former ambassador‚ cabinet minister and Eastern Cape premier has died at the age of 72.

CAPTION: Picture: Elvis Ntombela

African National Congress spokesperson Zizi Kodwa said that the provincial leadership of the ANC were on their way to his home in Alice.

“The provincial leadership is on the way to his home and we will release a statement as soon as we get a confirmation from the family‚” said Kodwa.

It was not clear at this stage what the cause of death was.

Stofile was born on the 27 of December 1944‚ in the Winterberg District of Adelaide‚ Eastern Cape.

Stofile entered politics in 1963 as a member of the African Students’ Association‚ an African National Congress (ANC) front organisation‚ but only came to the fore on the political front when he became the regional secretary and a member of the National Executive Committee of the United Democratic Front (UDF)between 1983 and 1986.

Stofile then obtained a Masters of Arts degree from Princeton University in the USA in 1983.

He was awarded a D.Phil (hc) by the University of Port Elizabeth in 2000.

He became a key person in the establishment and development of the United Democratic Front (UDF) in the Border region.

In 1991‚ he was elected as a member of the NEC of the ANC‚ becoming its Treasurer General in 1994.

In 1994‚ he became a Member of Parliament as well as the chief whip of the ANC in Parliament. Stofile was the Chairperson of the (ANC) in the Eastern Cape from 1996.

He was re-appointed as treasurer general of the ANC in 1995‚ a post he held until 1997‚ when he became Premier of the Eastern Cape until 2004. In 2004‚ he was appointed to the cabinet as Minister of Sport and Recreation‚ a post he held until 2010.

Memorable quotes from the late Rev Makhenkesi Stofile

These are some of the memorable quotes from the Rev Makhenkesi Stofile‚ who died on Monday morning in Alice‚ in the Eastern Cape‚ aged 72‚ after an illness.

February 2005

“We have called on the sport administrators to sacrifice a little bit in terms of wanting to win‚ because even when we field these lily-white teams we lose. We need to look at the broader values of a broader South African nation that is proud to be participating in the international fraternity. That is what is transformation.”

Stofile was speaking at the state of the nation debate in Parliament.

November 2007

“Quotas were used only for window dressing for international consumption. Those who have the money go and buy the players ... instead of developing the boys where they are.

“We must kill the myth that ... black people cannot play certain sporting codes because they are black‚” the minister told MPs on the decision to scrap the racial quotas for non-white players on the country’s rugby and cricket teams.

September 2009

“I think it would be the third world war. We will go to the highest levels in contesting such a decision. I think it would be totally unfair and totally unjust.

“The ministry feels let down by the way this matter is being handled by those with devious vested interest‚ especially after being promised a meeting with the IAAF leadership.

“No one doubts her gender anymore. Now the issue of the percentages of her gender; this is unethical and disgusting.”

Stofile was speaking after there were talks that the athletics governing body IAAF was considering banning athlete Caster Semenya because of questions about her gender.

October 2015

“He died on the day the Springboks were beaten by Japan. I see he was disgusted and he decided to go‚” Stofile said at the funeral of his brother Mike Stofile last year. Japan had beaten South Africa 34-32 in one of the greatest Rugby World Cup upsets ever.

December 2015

“I was not sure about the wisdom of sending an old man as Ambassador to such an important country. With hindsight I now understand the ANC´s choice. A veteran and senior politician is better placed to serve one’s country in faraway countries. The knowledge and experience acquired over decades equips one to be firm on principles and yet to be flexible in strategy and tactics.” Stofile made these remarks as he bid farewell to Germany where he was ambassador from 2011 to 2015

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