Theewaterskloof Local Municipality confirmed on Sunday that Mayor Karel Papier, who was admitted to hospital last week, died after battling lung cancer.
Papier was admitted to hospital over what was described as health complications and passed away on Sunday morning.
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The Western Cape municipality expressed that it was left deeply saddened and almost speechless by the news of his passing, adding that Papier will forever remain one of Caledon and Theewaterskloof’s greatest ‘sons’.
‘His community service extended far and wide beyond politics and as a community leader he had a deep emotional bond with people,’ said acting mayor, John Michels in a statement.
‘He had the almost superhuman ability to look into people’s souls and notice pain, hatred and distress. He never turned away from his people and, in every crisis, found solutions to alleviate hardship. He was in so many ways a “healer” of people,’ added Michels.
Papier was described as a passionate leader who served the poorest of the poor in his municipality with dedication and excellence while simultaneously enduring a long battle with cancer.
The Patriotic Alliance’s national spokesperson, Steve Motale, said Papier became ‘increasingly diminished’ in the last few months as a result of the cancer.
‘There is probably not a single person who knew him, or had to deal with him, or knows of him, who does not feel this great loss,’ continued Michel.
The mayor is survived by his wife and three children.
Heartfelt condolences were conveyed to the mayor’s family and loved ones.
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