Guests gathered at the Castle of Good Hope on Sunday night to celebrate the 80th birthday of Allan Boesak.
Image: Armand Hough/Independent Newspapers
There is a special energy which occurs in the room when surrounded by many stalwarts who have fought and sacrificed for your freedom, and that was very apparent at the 80th birthday celebration for Dr Allan A. Boesak, hosted at the Castle of Good Hope on Sunday evening.
Seeing South African Human Rights Commission Chairperson, Chris Nissen, trade quips with one of Boesak’s closest friends, Barend Hendricks, and witnessing Chairperson of the Sekunjalo Group, Dr Iqbal Survé, rally former SA Ambassador to the United States, Ebrahim Rasool, and others to carry out a joint toast to honour Dr Boesak.
Such bonds and connections were only on display because of Dr Boesak.
While there were several speeches throughout the evening, including from Dr Survé, Nissen, and retired Western Cape High Court Judge Siraj Desai, it was all encapsulated in the keynote speech delivered by Dr Boesak himself.
Dr Boesak not only paid tribute to his wife, Elna Boesak, their family, and history, but also to his friends who have been with him throughout the years.
“I just need to say that I feel so immensely honoured and humbled by your presence here. There are people here that I honestly did not think would come, and yet you are here. You represent, in this room tonight, most of what I could have expected from all of you,” Boesak said.
The evening honoured Boesak’s lifelong contribution to justice, faith and the anti-apartheid struggle, with speeches, music and reflection.
Image: Armand Hough/Independent Newspapers
“I was saying to somebody the other day, and I was not really joking, he asked me, 'How does it feel to be 80 years old?’ I really don't know. I really don't know how it feels to be 80 years old. I can't wrap my mind around it.
“Some people reason, ‘but you look 65’ or whatever it is. And I always say to people, I have a deal with the Lord. I say to God, if you are going to keep me poor, you have to keep me pretty,” Boesak joked, “but I'm at that point where I think I want to renegotiate that issue.”
Boesak said that he saw those in attendance not as fans, but as friends and kinfolk.
“You’re here not as fans, you're here as friends. You’re here as kinfolk, you’re here as those who can remember the days when none of us thought that we would see this day.
“…I now think of the many moments in which I thought, ‘this is where my life ends now’. Whether it was outside of Langa Township, Uitenhage, whether it was outside Kwanobuhle, or whether it was in KTC, where we lay down in front of the bulldozers that came to demolish our people's homes.
“I remember Elsies River, St Nicholas [Anglican Church], where we had that forbidden prayer service. Where officer Van Schalkwyk came in, and he led his soldiers into the church, while we were praying, with their guns drawn towards us, with one pointing at my head while I was trying to say something.
“He came in, he said, ‘Dr Boesak, jy moet nou stil bly want ek het ’n aankondiging om te maak’ (Dr Boesak, you have to keep quiet now, as I have an announcement I must make).
“And I said, ‘No, sir, you sit and listen to the word of the Lord’,” Boesak said.
'Extraordinary individual' Dr Allan Boesak honoured at 80th birthday celebration by Dr Iqbal Survé. 'Extraordinary individual' Dr Allan Boesak honoured at 80th birthday celebration by Dr Iqbal Survé.
Image: Armand Hough/Independent Newspapers
Held at one of the city’s most historic sites, the celebration brought together community leaders and supporters to recognise his enduring legacy.
Image: Armand Hough/Independent Newspapers
“That was the day when we got out of the church service, and I got into my car, and they shot a teargas canister right through my rear window. In those days, they didn't have the fancy canisters, and they still had those cans.
“While we were praying inside, there were women outside [St Nicholas], many of the Muslim women, who could not come into the church, but said, ‘We will pray with you’, and they were the ones who broke through the police cordon, and they were the ones who opened the car door.
“I just remember hearing, ‘Ooh Here, Julie het vir hom geskiet’ (Oh God, they shot him). They took me out (of the car), and they revived me. That's the way God works,” Boesak said.
“Here we are tonight in this glorious, glorious diversity of who we really are. I’ve always dreamt that South Africa could be like this. We are still dreaming that South Africa should be like this, and God help me as long as I live, I will fight for a South Africa to be like this.”
Dr Boesak addressed his love for his children, “I sent this in a sermon not so long ago. It is a particular, painful contradiction.
“When your love for your people and your love for God and your love for what you must do and the promises that you make, somehow interfere with your love for your family.
“Your love for your people takes you away from your children, and I now look back. I'm 80 years old, and I think where have those years gone? I couldn't see them, and couldn't talk to them. But now, tonight, they're here.”
Dr Boesak extended his gratitude to “Barend, Olive, Nevetta, Igshaan, Iqbal, and everybody who made tonight possible.
“You will never know what I feel in my heart… Thank you for being that together, the host for this evening. I have my friends with me, and I think I can say that tonight. There is a big difference between comradeship and friendship.
“A person is a comrade as long as that person is useful to what they think is the struggle. A friend loves you, even if the comrades no longer think you are useful.
“Thank you,” Dr Boesak said. “Thank you for sharing your friendship tonight.”
Dr Boesak received several gifts, including paintings and a framed picture, courtesy of Dr Survé. Attendees also pledge to purchase a special limited edition book in honour of Dr Boesak, of which proceeds towards the sale would go towards Dr Boesak's pension.
Dr Survé generously offered those who committed to purchasing the book, tickets to the Cape Town International Jazz Festival, taking place this weekend at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC).
theolin.tembo@inl.co.za