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A Stalwart Remembered: The Life and Legacy of Roger Burrows
Former KwaZulu-Natal Democratic Alliance leader Roger Burrows has died after a lengthy illness, leaving behind a political legacy that stretched across more than twenty-five years. His passing was confirmed by the party on Friday, with DA leader John Steenhuisen paying tribute to a man he described as a stalwart and one of the most relatable figures he had ever encountered in public life.
A political life grounded in people
Burrows was known for his warmth and his ability to connect with anyone he met. Steenhuisen recalled his big personality and the way he carried his belief that politics should always serve people. It was this commitment that shaped his decades in public service.
He began his political journey in the then Progressive Federal Party before going on to win the Pinetown constituency. That win became a defining moment, reflecting both his tenacity and his deep sense of duty. Over the next quarter-century, he served as a Member of Parliament, a Member of the KwaZulu-Natal Legislature, and later a Member of the Executive Council during the coalition government with the Inkatha Freedom Party in the early 2000s.
A steady presence in KwaZulu-Natal politics
Burrows stepped down as the DA’s provincial leader in August 2006, but his impact continued long after he left the role. Steenhuisen emphasised how Burrows left a mark not only on the party but also on the province and on South Africa’s democratic landscape. Many within the DA credit him with shaping leaders, strengthening structures, and guiding the organisation through some of its most challenging early years in KwaZulu-Natal.
Carrying his values forward
Steenhuisen said the DA is recommitting itself to the values Burrows lived every day. These include courage, service above self, principled leadership, and respect for South Africa’s future. He added that Burrows will be missed dearly by those who worked with him and by the many people he supported and inspired throughout his career.
Roger Burrows’s legacy is found not only in the positions he held but also in the steady, human way he approached public service. His contribution remains a reminder of the impact one committed individual can have on both a party and a province.
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Source: IOL
Featured Image: Maroela Media
