Community pays tribute to Pannies

KAROO NEWS - The community of Graaff-Reinet paid tribute to Alfred Feddie Pannies (66) who was laid to rest on Saturday 22 June. His funeral service was held at the Graaff-Reinet primary hall in Asherville. Pannies was described as a very humble, soft spoken person. A man who served his community and its people with pride, integrity and loyalty. A man who was always ready to listen.

The funeral service was attended by many who knew Pannies as a teacher, a councillor, a sportsman, a community leader and as a father. Pannies died on 10 June at the Midland Hospital after a very short illness.

Daantjie Japtha (former Mayor of Camdeboo Local Municipality) who has been a friend of Pannies for the past forty-five years, said they met in 1979 as primary school teachers at Kroonvale Primary School and he remembers Pannies as a very disciplined and hardworking man.

The best moment he had with Pannies was the day they had a Christmas dinner on the 'Tiep' (dumping site) with the people who were staying there and eventually they succeeded to relocate two families from there to be the first residents of Riemvasmaak. Pannies had a great sense of Ubuntu, he would always provide services with an attitude of compassion, kindness, selflessness and humility. He was a humble man with strong principles, integrity and loyalty. He stood firm and brave to fight for the poor, the homeless and the underprivileged people.

Pannies would always commit himself to put the needs of the people at the center of service delivery and always respond to complaints in a professional and speedy manner.

He taught at different schools, Despatch, Uitenhage, Nieu-Bethesda, Narsingstraat Public School, Asherville Secondary School and Spandau – a teacher who always presented his work neatly and it was always a pleasure to monitor and evaluate his work.

Pannies joined the ANC from the NNP after the 1995 local election when they lost to the ANC and he never looked back ever since. He was a loyal and dedicated member of the ANC, he grew up in the ANC and became the branch chairperson from 2005 to 2016. As a leader he served his community with faith and dignity. In 2011 Pannies was sworn in as councillor for Ward Three serving Asherville.

The ANC salute Pannies for his commitment and loyalty, Eunice Kekana said. Pannies was a tried and tested member of the ANC, a very humble person who joined the ANC during the time when you had to make an oath that you commit yourself to work for the organisation without looking for any benefits, but to be part and parcel of the programmes of the ANC and to ensure the plans, aims and objectives of the ANC are met.

Pannies was an activist, a man who had a concern for his community, a man who knew about hardship, but also understood leadership. Pannies is saluted and praised for being a good member and comrade of the African National Congress.

The mayor of the DBNLM, Willem Safers remember Pannies as very humble man, an accessible and approachable man. A leader of a community who could listen without an attitude.

Pannies will be missed by many for his commitment to uplift his community, his commitment to his children and as a great leader to his nation. Apostle Dr Isaac Wentzel and prophetess Euna Wentzel extended their heartfelt condolences to to the family. Pannies was their trusted friend and compadre in faith for many years. They also mourn the passing and death of the extraordinary human being.

He left behind the mother of his children, two daughters and two sons, one daughter-in-law, 14 grandchildren, one great-grandchild and his bigger family. It was a hard moment for the family to say goodbye to their father, a grandfather, an uncle. They had a shareable life with him and they will miss the moments they had with him.

From left are Mayor Willem Safers, former mayor Daantjie Japhta, Enoch Lomberg and Hanna Makoba.