Tributes were received from political parties on Monday, following the death of former Eastern Cape Premier, Reverend Makhenkesi Stofile (72).
He was also a former Minister of Sport and Recreation (2004 to 2010) and South Africa's ambassador to Germany.
It was understood that he died at his home in Alice.
Among the tributes and messages of condolences:
(This may very well be updated during the day)
Zizi Kodwa, National Spokesperson, African National Congress:
It is with great sadness that the African National Congress (ANC) has learnt of the passing of a veteran and stalwart of our movement, Cde Reverend Dr Makhenkesi Stofile today, 15 August 2016 following illness. The ANC owes an indelible debt of gratitude to Cde Stofile, former Treasurer General of the ANC, Minister of Sports and Recreation and South African ambassador to Germany for his sterling role in politics and sports in both the liberation movement and South Africa at large.
Born on 27 December 1944, Cde Makhenkesi Arnold Stofile, joined politics in 1963 as a member of the African Students' Association. He was elected the regional secretary and National Executive Member of the United Democratic Front between 1983 and 1986; driving the charge for the establishment of the United Democratic Front (UDF) in the Border region.
Having joined the African National Congress in 1958, Bra Stof was a symbol of solidarity, a loyal and disciplined cadre who was arrested and served an 11-year imprisonment for terrorism under the then Ciskean Internal Security Act in 1986.
Comrade Stofile was African National Congress Chief Whip following the democratic elections in 1994. He served as the Provincial Chairperson of the ANC in the Eastern Cape in 1996, was appointed as Premier of the Eastern Cape in 1997. A position he held until his deployment as Minister of Sport and Recreation between 2004 and 2010. At the time of his passing, he had recently returned from a diplomatic posting at South Africa's Ambassador to Germany.
A minister of the Presbyterian Church of South Africa since 1975 and a dedicated and loyal servant of the people, Bra Stof had an abiding love for sports and sports administration.
He held a number of presidential roles for sporting bodies. He was President of the South Eastern Districts Rugby Union from 1975-1982 and also a member of the 2010 FIFA World Cup Local Organising Committee Board of Directors. He led from the front in the campaign for non-racial sport and long been a committed supporter of anti-doping.
Indeed the great Baobab tree has fallen in our 104 year old liberation movement. The African National Congress sends its deepest condolences to Cde Stofile's family. May they find solace in the knowledge of the immeasurable contribution Bra Stof made to the liberation of South Africa and our national project of socio-economic transformation. We shall with them their profound grief and sense of loss.
Atholl Trollip, Eastern Cape DA leader:
"It is with sadness that I have learned of the passing of former Eastern Cape Premier and South Africa's ambassador to Germany, Rev. Makhenkesi Stofile, this morning. On behalf of the Democratic Alliance, I convey our condolences to Rev. Stofile's family and to the ANC on his passing. We pray that God will provide them with strength during this difficult time."
Kenneth Mokgatlhe, PAC Spokesperson:
"Pan Africanist Congress of Azania (PAC) have sadly received the heart breaking news that Mr Makhenkesi Stofile have suddenly left us at the age of 72. We are joining other South Africans to send our deepest and heartfelt condolensces to his lovely family, comrades and the entire country for having lost such a great man, a man of God indeed.
Cde. Stofile was not only a religious and political leader nevertheless a celebrated and renounced sportsman. Ironically he leaves us during the world athletic season taking place at Brazil, Rio currently. He was indeed a sportsman. An academic who have outdone himself in that area and have been in the academic community for his entire life.
His love for education inspire us and have set precedence to be followed, he have been a great role model and wisdom will continue to be drawn from this statesman.
Go well, leader, Go well"
