The human rights organization #Africa4Palestine, the largest Palestine solidarity organization in the continent, is greatly saddened over the passing of South African student leader, Deputy President of the South African Student’s Congress (SASCO) and close friend Comrade Buyile Matiwane after succumbing to a short illness.

We are heavily heart broken for Buyile was a close friend to all of us at #Africa4Palestine, he shared his life and time with us and contributed substantively to the Palestinian solidarity work. We feel dejected when we remember that Buyile was the first guest of our online webinar series when COVID lockdown restrictions were implemented, an example of his constant availability for the Palestinian cause.

Buyile was an inspiring and courageous young activist who never compromised on his principles. He will be remembered for his fierce activism in the student movement, his exceptional understanding of youth struggles and his passion for internationalism and Palestine

We will miss him dearly in our everyday lives, in our Whatsapp and Telegram groups, in the opinion section of our newspapers, in our protests and pickets, on our social media timelines and in our hearts.

We send our heartfelt condolences to Buyile’s family and loved ones, we suffered a great loss.