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.
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.
