The late Professor Jakes Gerwel
Cape Town’s Vanguard Drive was on Sunday renamed after anti-apartheid activist and late chairman of the Nelson Mandela Foundation, Professor Jakes Gerwel.
The road’s renaming to Jakes Gerwel Drive took place at an official ceremony in Athlone on what would have been Gerwel’s 69th birthday. He passed away in November 2012 due to heart complications.
“As we travel along Jakes Gerwel Drive, may we reflect on the road that has been paved before us,” said Cape Town Mayor Patricia de Lille, who joined members of the Gerwel family and his former colleagues from the Mandela Rhodes Foundation at the ceremony.
“Professor Gerwel’s life, which was characterised by an unwavering commitment to a non-racial, non-sexist and democratic society, exemplifies the kind of future we want for Cape Town.”
Gerwel served as Director-General of the South African Presidency when Nelson Mandela was in office. Following Mandela’s presidency, Gerwel chaired the Nelson Mandela Foundation and the Mandela Rhodes Foundation.
The professor’s son, Heinrich Gerwel, said it was important for all South Africans to remember his ideas of nation building and togetherness.
“His last words to us were: ‘Julle moet in vrede met mekaar saam lewe (You must live together in peace)’."