'Saviour of Alexandra'

THOSE who knew and worked with Reverend Sam Buti described him as a spiritual and visionary leader with an "undying love" for Alexandra.

Buti, 76, who was wheelchair bound, died on Wednesday.

He was dubbed "The Saviour of Alexandra" because he fought tooth and nail against the apartheid government's plan of forced removal of its residents.

"He believed the church had a big role in unifying the society at large," said Reverend Zacharia Mogwebo of Orlando, Soweto.

Prof Tinyiko Maluleke, president of the South Africa Council of Churches, of which Buti was president in 1975 to 1981, and in 1984, said Buti had led the organisation in difficult times.

"He will be deeply missed by the church and will be fondly remembered for leading this organisation during the difficult apartheid years," said Maluleke.

Father Joe Mdlela said Buti was not dead but resting with other stalwarts "at the feet of Christ.

"We cannot say he is dead because the ideals he fought for are still with us today."

The University of South Africa bestowed an honorary doctorate on Buti early this year.

He was forced to resign as mayor of Alexandra in the 1980s after his family was continuously threatened and his house bombed.

Some Alexandra residents saw his mayorship as siding with the apartheid government.

He was a minister in the Nederduitse Gereformeerde Kerk in Africa, a branch of the Dutch Reformed Church.

In 1974 a further breakaway group, including the NG Mission Church, was formed, calling itself the Uniting Reformed Church.

In 1987 he was elected head of the Nederduitse Gereformeerde Kerk in Africa.

He is survived by his wife Mary and their sons.