28 January 2007
The SACP has learned with great sadness and shock of the sudden passing away of Cde Don Pasquallie after having been involved in a tragic car accident yesterday morning in Cape Town. We also learn that his brother passed on in this tragic accident.
Cde Don, who was the Deputy General Secretary of SADTU, till he met his tragic death. As a true communist he had served the trade union movement with dedication and commitment. He was dedicated to the radical transformation of the South African education system and was an adernt and committed fighter for the educators rights.
Cde Don was also a member of the SACP, and had been serving in the Western Cape Provincial Executive Committee of the SACP since 1998. We will sorely miss the role of Cde Don in our Party structures and programmes in that province.
In his honour we will continue to fight and deepen the strugle to build working class hegemony to implement free and compulsory education. Our task, together, with SADTU is to ensure that the very many progressive resolutions adopted by our respective formations on the transformation of education, the latest being those adopted at the ANC’s 52nd National Conference, are thoroughly implemented. The working class in general, and SADTU, in particular, needs to play a leading role in the mobilisation of our people to build local education committees as part of driving educational transformation, in honour of, and as a fitting tribute, to this departed revolutionary and educational activist, Cde Don Pasquallie.
We extend our heartfelt condolonces to his family, friends and colleagues.
Issued by the SACP.
Contact: Malesela Maleka (SACP Spokesperson) @ 082 226 1802