‘Unifier’ Mluleki George dies at 72

He was 72.

George was a former African National Congress (ANC) MP and a founder member of a breakaway Congress of the People (Cope) in 2008.

Cope national spokesperson Dennis Bloem says George’s passing is a massive loss to the country.

“George gave everything to see his people and the country free. Indeed the country has lost another patriot who loved his country.

“Comrade Mluleki George was in the forefront of dismantling apartheid in sports, a fearless fighter. George was a founder member of the United Democratic Front in 1983. He was elected to represent the ANC in Parliament after the first democratic elections. He represented his people with distinction.

“We can never forget the huge contribution that comrade George made in our freedom struggle to free this country.

“What we enjoy today is because of the selfless sacrifices that comrade George made,”says Bloem.

SA Rugby president Mark Alexander has paid tribute to the hugely influential role George played in the normalisation of South African sport.

“He was genuinely one of the icon figures of our historic sports unification process, and we know of course that rugby was closest to his heart.

“Mluleki was a colossal, calming figure during a very turbulent time in the fight for freedom and the ensuing transition period to a democratic South Africa,” says Alexander.

He adds “On behalf of the South African rugby community, I want to offer our most sincere condolences to the George family and his wide circle of friends.

“He was a very principled man, a skilful negotiator and will always be remembered for his unselfish fight for human rights and the dignity of all people in South Africa.”

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