Late Reverend Jessie Jackson described as an amazing friend to SA

Reverend Alan Boesak has described late Reverend Jessie Jackson as an amazing friend to South Africa

The family of the American civil rights leader announced his death on Tuesday at the age of 84.

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Jackson was no stranger to South Africa, having visited the country several times during the height of his activism.

He first travelled to the country in 1979 following the death of anti-apartheid icon Steve Biko and later returned in 1990 when former President Nelson Mandela was released from prison.

Jackson also attended the funeral of struggle stalwart Winnie Madikizela-Mandela in 2018.

Boesak said Jackson’s relationship with South Africa went beyond global justice and was rooted in a special love for the country.

"He was one of the very few people in the civil rights struggle in the United States who very early on saw not just the historic links between the struggle of black people in America, and our struggle for freedom here, but also saw the powerful relevance of internal struggle infected with their struggle."

He added that Jackson had a genuine love for South Africans.

"He did not come to make comradely visits, as people would say, but he came and made genuine friends with people. Winnie Madikizela-Mandela was one and I know that I was another one."