Caucus statement on death of Christmas Tinto
19 August 2005
The Chief Whip of the ANC, Mbulelo Goniwe, yesterday paid a visit to the family of Christmas Tinto in Gugulethu to pay tribute to late ANC and UDF stalwart on behalf of the organisation\'s Parliamentary Caucust.
Tinto, affectionately known within the movement as \'Com-T\', served as an ANC Member of Parliament in the first democratic legislature.
Com-T played a colossal role in the struggle for democracy. It is symbolic that his death coincided with the 50th anniversary of the Freedom Charter, to which he played a leading role as a Volunteer-in-Chief in Langa in 1955. He said of the people\'s feelings on the Charter during that time: "Most people made demands to have political rights. Though some couldn\'t mention what kind of political rights. They say political rights to elect our people to go to parliament".
Caucus express its profound sadness at the passing on of Com-T\' and also expressed its heartfelt condolences to the family of Com-T. We deep our revolutionary banner in the memory of comrade Christmas Tinto.
For more information contact:
Mpho Lekgoro [Caucus Spokesperson] 083 255 8118
Moloto Mothapo [Head of Media] 082 370 6930
