The ANC has paid tribute to prominent businessman and a close ally of president
Jacob Zuma, Don Mkhwanazi who died from a heart attack on Friday night.
ANC
spokesman Zizi Kodwa said in a statement on Saturday the party was
saddened by Mkhwanazi’s passing and that his death was a great blow to
the party as he was an active and dedicated member.
“With the passing of Cde.
Don we have lost a pioneer and committed activist – who will be remembered for paving the way for countless
numbers of aspirant black businesspeople, and radically transforming the heavily racialized business landscape in our new democracy.
“The African National Congress extends its condolences to the Mkhwanazi family and prays for them to have strength during this difficult time,” said Kodwa.
Mkhwanazi was the founder of the Black Management Forum and instrumental in driving the agenda of economic transformation.
Mkhwanazi
is also remembered as one of the founders of The Friends of Zuma Foundation,
in which business people and supporters of the president helped fund his
rape trial defense.
Mkhwanazi
held various positions in the ANC and is well-respected for his business
acumen, having also served as senior economic advisor for the party. He
also worked closely with former president
Thabo Mbeki and was chairperson of the Apartheid Debt Coordinating
Committee of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. He was also a former
member of the Transnet board.
The 63-year old Mkhwanazi was born in Durban and operated most of his businesses within the Kwazulu-Natal province.