The relationship between Kelvin Ramnath and I goes back to our primary school days when we attended the Preysal Government School. He was from Balmain and walked to school and back everyday, a distance of about two miles each way. He became involved in politics at a very early age when together we campaigned with Kenneth Lalla in the 1961 general election.
He went on to become one of the youngest parliamentarians in 1976 at the age of 27 years and never looked back. In the 1995 general election campaign, even though he was not as candidate, he offered his services to many of the new candidates and was, as usual, a joy to have on the platform.
On his re-entry in the House of Representatives until the elections of 2010, we spent many long, hard and frustrating days and nights in Parliament together, and all of us valued his advice and looked forward to his contributions.?When the position of Chief Whip became vacant in the Opposition, he was the natural choice but for health and other reasons he declined the position.
Recently, I had the privilege of spending almost a week with him in Brazil where he attended the Rio+20 conference in his capacity as chairman of the Environmental Management Authority. He was his usual jovial and lively self and there was nothing during his stay which suggested that his end was so close. I am glad to have spent the time with him.
He was a strong family man and during his late days in Parliament and his stay here in?Brazil, he spoke almost non-stop about his family. He was a friend and colleague and he was a good man. The country has lost a true patriot and I will miss him.
On behalf of my family and myself, I extend my sincerest condolences to his dear wife and children and other members of his family.?I pray that God will bless his soul and that He will give to members of the family the strength, patience and courage in this difficult time. May his soul rest in peace. Goodbye Kelvin.
Hamza Rafeeq
Via e-mail
