CASAC is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Ben Turok, a veteran of the liberation struggle in South Africa. An academic and an intellectual, Turok stood out for his unwavering commitment over many decades to pursuing a more just and equitable society.

He was an ANC MP in the National Assembly from 1995 until his retirement in 2014 during which time he served as the Co-Chair of the Joint Committee on Ethics and Members’ Interests. He maintained his disciplined focus on promoting the interests of the poor and marginalised throughout his tenure as an MP. He defied his party whip to abstain on the Protection of Information Bill (the Secrecy Bill) in 2011 – his position is perhaps vindicated by the fact that this odious piece of legislation has yet to be signed into law. He epitomised the notion of principled loyalty and bemoaned those who were unthinking followers.

Turok was one of the organisers of the 1955 Congress of the People that framed and adopted the Freedom Charter, a document that provides the foundations for our present Constitution. He was a strong supporter of the work of CASAC and just recently we engaged with him, in his capacity as Director of the Institute for African Alternatives (IFAA), on a project about enhancing the effectiveness of Parliament. Coincidentally his constituency office for Salt River, Observatory and Mowbray is located alongside CASAC’s office.

Lawson Naidoo, CASAC’s Executive Secretary says:

“Another of the stalwarts and veterans of the liberation struggle who lit the path towards freedom and democracy has left us. I have been privileged to have known Ben since the late 1980’s when we worked together in the UK. He remained steadfast in his pursuit of dignity and social and economic advancement of the people until the end.”

CASAC conveys its condolences to Mary Turok and all of the Turok family.