28/08/2026
TRIBUTE TO GURSHION ARENDS
A Gallant Fighter for Justice, Constitutional Democracy and the Freedom Charter
It is with profound sadness, shock and a deep sense of loss that the Congress of the People (COPE) joins the family, friends, colleagues, students and the broader community in mourning the sudden and tragic passing of Gurshion Arends.
His passing has robbed our society of a remarkable human being at a time when his energy, intellect, commitment and contribution were needed more than ever.
Gurshion was a man full of energy, enthusiasm, optimism and life. He was an educator, policy development enthusiast, teacher, and mentor whose depth of knowledge, skills, and capabilities were a source of strength to everyone fortunate enough to engage with him.
He was generous with his knowledge and always willing to share his skills, ideas and intellectual capacity in the service of justice, economic development, social inclusion and constitutional democracy.
Gurshion was a progressive and principled person. He believed deeply in justice and in the transformative vision of the Freedom Charter. His commitment to these principles was not merely rhetorical. They shaped his understanding of society and his responsibility to contribute to its transformation.
It was therefore entirely consistent with his convictions that, earlier in 2026, Gurshion joined the Congress of the People (COPE)as part of the organisation's renewal and its commitment to the values of the Freedom Charter, constitutionalism, social justice, democracy and accountable government.
His commitment was immediately evident. He was appointed Acting Chairperson of the Sol Plaatje Constituency of COPE, a responsibility he accepted with enthusiasm, seriousness and determination.
We had looked forward to his contribution to COPE's renewal. We looked forward to his ideas, intellectual rigour, strategic insight and ability to challenge us to think more deeply about the society we seek to build.
His left-leaning ideological orientation and understanding of political economy were important sources of strength. He understood that political transformation without economic justice remains incomplete, and that democracy must ultimately improve the lives and dignity of ordinary people.
Gurshion was a man of the people and for the people.
He was firm in his beliefs and possessed the courage of his convictions. He did not easily surrender to fashionable arguments or political convenience. He believed in the power of reason, evidence, knowledge and rigorous thought.
At a time when public discourse is too often dominated by cheap populism, misplaced militancy and political noise, Gurshion represented something increasingly precious: intellectual depth, disciplined thinking, mental clarity and principled engagement.
He understood that passion without knowledge can become reckless, that militancy without purpose can become destructive, and that political conviction must be accompanied by intellectual discipline and a commitment to truth.
That is why his loss is so deeply felt.
We mourn not only a colleague and political activist, but also an academic, intellectual, educator, teacher, and mentor whose contributions extended far beyond the positions he held. His influence on those he taught, mentored and engaged with will remain part of his enduring legacy.
To his children and the entire Arends family, we extend our deepest and most heartfelt condolences.
We know that no words can adequately ease the pain of losing a father, a parent, a loved one and a source of guidance. We especially want his children to know that their father's life mattered. His contribution to society was meaningful. The values he believed in, the knowledge he shared, the people he influenced and the causes to which he devoted himself will continue to speak to future generations.
To his friends, colleagues, students, comrades and the Sol Plaatje community, we extend our solidarity during this difficult period.
Let us honour Gurshion not merely by mourning his passing, but by continuing the work to which he devoted himself.
Let us defend justice.
Let us advance social and economic inclusion.
Let us strengthen constitutional democracy.
Let us uphold the principles of the Freedom Charter.
And let us continue the pursuit of a society in which knowledge, reason, equality, dignity and human solidarity prevail over intolerance, corruption, populism and division.
Gurshion came into COPE at a moment of renewal. Although his time with us was tragically short, he made an impression that will not easily disappear.
His voice has been silenced, but the ideas he championed will continue to speak.
His journey has ended, but the causes for which he stood must continue.
The Congress of the People is humbled and grateful that Gurshion Arends chose to walk with us, albeit briefly, in pursuit of justice, constitutional democracy and the ideals of the Freedom Charter.
We salute this gallant fighter, consummate academic, intellectual, teacher, mentor and comrade.
We shall miss his energy.
We shall miss his intellectual clarity.
We shall miss his passion.
We shall miss his courage.
Above all, we shall miss the contribution of a good man who believed that society could and must be better.
May his soul rest in peace.
The struggle for justice, equality, dignity and a truly democratic South Africa continues.
Congress of the People (COPE)
