The passing of Dr Nthato Motlana marked a sad but proud final step for a man who had not only served South Africa with distinction but discharged his fair share of national service for South Africa's children.

The passing of Dr Nthato Motlana marked a sad but proud final step for a man who had not only served South Africa with distinction but discharged his fair share of national service for South Africa's children.

This was said yesterday by former business partner and Nelson Mandela Children Fund board chairman Justice Dikgang Moseneke.

"The many hats that Dr Motlana wore and his various lifetime engagements are testimony to an indefatigable spirit, an enduring visionary and a heart-warming soul that only a man with a natural attraction to societal wellbeing can exhibit.

"With such attributes Dr Motlana was born to lead yet ever ready to be led."

Moseneke said Motlana had given his best .

He was hailed as the people's doctor and had no less than four honorary degrees conferred on him by universities locally and abroad.

He was also chairman of the boards of the Sizwe Medical Fund, Takalani, Medical Education of South Africa and Kwacha Holdings.