FFC Chairperson and Development Activist Prof Dan Plaatjies Has Passed Away

By
Nabeelah Khan
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Chairperson of the Financial and Fiscal Commission (FFC), Professor Daniel (Dan) Plaatjies, aged 57, passed away on Saturday, according to a statement by his family, Prof Plaatjies died of natural causes.

Prof Dan, who was born and raised in Bontehuewel, was a magnanimous man. He exercised expert governmental authority because of his in-depth knowledge. He studied while working and managed to obtain various degrees; a PhD at Wits University, MPhil from UWC, BSocSc Hons from UCT and later a number of professional certificates from the universities of Birmingham, Manchester and New York.

His passion for setting right social injustices and racialism was tangible, the epitome of a South African patriot. He was a frequent attendee at Parliament meetings and made meaningful contributions not only there but also in public life.

FFC Deputy Chairperson Michael Sachs said Plaatjies’s acute and insightful contribution to financial and fiscal debates would be sorely missed.
Lynnette Sait (Manager of strategic liaison and co-ordination, office on institutions supporting democracy at Parliament) a close friend and past colleague of Prof Dan, said “Prof Plaatjies was a consummate professional, who spoke his mind, was unassuming whether he was in a high-level boardroom or amongst his peers. We should all strive to emulate his example which simply put, is that, where we come from, should never define us.”  Lynne further added that Prof Dan was a feminist. ‘When in meetings, he would readily call out those who overlooked a woman’s input and always remarked on women’s representation when such paucity was obvious.’ 

According to heritage whisperer, Patric Mellet, Prof Dan Plaatjies was a grassroots activist in the mass democratic movement during the 1980s to 1990s and held true to its ethos for life. “Like many of us, he was deeply critical about the meltdown of the ANC and the embedded corruption in politics”.

It is evident that Professor Dan Plaatjies will leave a void in the lives of his colleagues, people who were lucky enough to know him personally and of course his wife Lydia and their three children.

May we honour this gentle giant and his outstanding and significant contribution to the movement towards a democratic South Africa, by remembering that, South Africa is still a country full of possibilities.