Paddy Kearney's legacy: lessons for a divided SA

In this memorial lecture, the Honourable John Jeffery examines how the values embodied by interfaith activist Paddy Kearney offer crucial guidance for addressing South Africa’s persistent challenges of racial inequality, corruption, and social division. Drawing parallels between Kearney’s humble dedication to justice and the current state of the nation, Jeffery calls for renewed commitment to non-racialism and ethical leadership.

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WE ARE here coming from different backgrounds, different faiths or no faith at all. One of the issues that binds us, I would like to believe, is that we are all idealists in that we aspire to a better South Africa and a better world. We believe that ideas and values can shape reality.

This idealism is not just about overcoming oppression but also about envisioning and building a future society based on the values of equality, justice and equity.

Paddy Kearney was a person of exceptional dedication who, over his 76 years, left an indelible mark on the people of KwaZulu-Natal and South Africa. His influence extended beyond those who knew him personally to those who admired him from afar.

What stands out most is his ability to achieve great things while shunning the spotlight.

This quality is notably absent in the materialistic and boastful behaviour that some of our current leaders and influencers exhibit.

He was quintessentially a religious person, a Catholic - in his early life he was a vowed Marist Brother; an ecumenicalist and an interfaith proponent. For me, this reflects a move away from a fixation on doctrine to one in which his perception of Catholic and broader Christian values becomes more important.

James 2 vs 18 is very relevant to him: “But someone will say: You have faith, I have deeds. Show me your faith without deeds and I will show you my faith by my deeds.”

I see a message in his life that it is how we live our lives and the care we take of our fellow human beings that is important rather than what we claim to believe in. | am mindful of Mahatma Gandhi’s words when he said — “Let your life be your message.”

I believe Paddy's life was his message.

The struggle for democracy, equality and social justice