It was with great sadness we were informed about the death of the late Bishop David Russell. We express our sincere condolences, on behalf of the community of Makana Municipality, to his family and relatives on the passing of such a great and true man of God.
It was with great sadness we were informed about the death of the late Bishop David Russell. We express our sincere condolences, on behalf of the community of Makana Municipality, to his family and relatives on the passing of such a great and true man of God.
A tried and tested man of the cloth, his life will be celebrated in many a lecture, book, poem and eulogy.
This former bishop of Grahamstown was a born leader. We were blessed as people of Makana, in particular and as the freedom-loving masses of South Africa, in general, to have him among us.
He was an overflowing yet focused source of true faith-based inspiration.
He abhorred apartheid.
Many reminiscence about the days he spent visiting trialists and prisoners in dark apartheid prisons. Many who were put in isolation in single cells derived joy from just knowing that he was vociferously fighting for their freedom.
He collected clothing and food for those behind bars.
As a strategic thinker he formed structures such as the Detainees Parents Support Committee. He made sure students and comrades sought by apartheid police found a safe haven.
In the process, Bishop David Russell ruffled the rough feathers of the evil apartheid special branch unit. The bishop stayed determinedly on his chosen path, however. The man unwaveringly associated himself with the liberation struggle of the people of South Africa.
That exalted him to the well-deserved status of an internationalist human rights activist. Many a politician of local origin learned the qualities of a seasoned activist from the lanky, bespectacled Bishop of Grahamstown.
Of course, many a bishop who went on to occupy the highest office in the church fraternity, here in our town and nationally, received tutelage from him. Bishop David Russell was a combination of skills, abilities and capabilities.
The late Bishop Russell was a David who brought the inhumane Goliath – manifested as the system of apartheid – down to his knees.
May his soul rest in peace indeed!
