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- Former commissioner of the South African Human Rights Commission, Danny Titus, died on Friday at the age of 63.
- Titus had been in a coma since late July after complications arose during an operation to remove a cataract.
- The SAHRC remembered Titus as a historian, linguist, and academic beyond his human rights work.
The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) has paid tribute to its former Commissioner and former Executive Director: Corporate Affairs in Afrikaanse Taal en Kultuurvereniging (ATKV), Dr. Danny Titus, saying that he will be remembered for his great contribution to human rights. civil and political.
News24 reported earlier Saturday that Titus died on Friday at the age of 63 and had been in a coma since late July after complications arose during an operation to remove a cataract.
In a statement Saturday, the SAHRC said Titus joined it in 2009 as a part-time commissioner and served to protect, promote and monitor the achievement of human rights until the end of his seven-year term in 2016.
During his tenure at the SAHRC, he championed the cause of civil and political rights [CPR], particularly human rights, law enforcement and torture.
“In addition to advocating for the development of a CPR portfolio at the SAHRC, he also led the SAHRC’s involvement in reviewing South Africa’s report under the United Nations International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights in 2016.”
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The SAHRC said his accomplishments include leading and completing the investigation into the 2011 murder of Andries Tatane, an activist from Ficksburg in the Free State.
He added that the investigation led to the beginning of a fruitful relationship with the police and improved the training of officers in the management and regulation of meetings to guarantee more peaceful and non-violent protests.
Titus also led national hearings on access to basic services, land and the constitutionality of indigenous groups in South Africa, particularly the Khoisan communities (Khoi, San, Nama, Griqua, Koranna) and was appointed to the Expert Mechanism of the United Nations on the Rights of Indigenous People.
“Dr. Titus’ contribution to the betterment of South Africa saw him being honored in February 2020 as a recipient of the Freedom of the City during the bicentennial celebration of his hometown, Worcester.”
The SAHRC said that beyond his human rights work, Titus would also be remembered as a historian, linguist and academic, having been executive director of culture at ATKV until May 2020.
FF Plus leader Pieter Groenewald paid tribute to Titus and said the country would become “poorer” without the commissioner.
He said Titus was able to handle himself well in difficult and emotional situations; and he also showed empathy and understanding for the circumstances, while being able to make rational decisions.
Groenewald added that Titus inspired respect and was a great activist for Afrikaans.
“He was really able to look beyond skin color and showed that anyone of color can rise to the top in South Africa,” he said.
