SUE MACLENNAN and BRYAN GOLIATH
“It is a great, great loss,” says Korana Ndlambe Links chief Johannes Opperman (traditional name Gxoagoab Doup) of the passing of paramount chief of the Links Royal House in the Eastern Cape chief Crawford Fraser. Fraser died on Tuesday morning after a lengthy stay in hospital. He will be buried on Saturday. Doup, who is bracing himself to step up as paramount chief, spoke to Talk of the Town about burial arrangements for Fraser, and about his new role.
The 51-year-old champion of rights and political status for South Africa’s Khoi and San had predicted his death and had left detailed instructions said Doup, who together with his wife Joanne, has remained with the Fraser family in Gqeberha for the past three months.
Among Fraser’s instructions had been that he should be buried in the same week of his death in the Jacksonville Cemetery. On the boundary between Booysens Park and Bethelsdorp in Gqeberha’s Northern Areas, it is also known as Bloemendal Cemetery.
“It’s an old cemetery,” said Doup. “And it’s very neglected. It’s exactly why Crawford wanted to be buried there: he wanted to raise awareness of the plight of people in the Northern Areas. Even with his own body he wanted to draw attention to the plight of our people.”
Doup said it would be a “cultural” burial, which meant there would be no coffin, and a Khoi-San ceremony would be conducted.
Immediately after the burial, Doup would be inaugurated into his new role as paramount chief of the Korana in the Eastern Cape in a cultural; gathering, he said.
“That will happen at the graveside,” he said.
Doup said despite his new role, his base would remain in Port Alfred, where the Ndlambe Links grouping of the Korana have established a base in Centenary Park – a move currently under litigation by Ndlambe Municipality which owns the reserve.
“I will try by all means to fill his shoes,” said Doup. “I will have to stand up for Khoi-San rights the way he stood up for them.
“Fortunately, foreseeing his own death, he wrote everything down that needs to be done.”
Fraser’s friend and fellow activist Christian Martin said there would so be a memorial service at Chatty Community Centre at 6pm on Thursday November 27.
Martin said Fraser’s death was a huge loss for SA and described him as someone who would light up a room with his presence.
“Crawford was committed to the Khoi and San cause.
“He did his best with anything he did. At all times he put others first and he was willing to sacrifice his all for a good cause.”
“He talked for those who could not talk and always went the extra mile for others,” Martin said.
“He will be dearly missed, especially for fighting for the rights of the Khoi and San. He also fought for the language of his people.
“Crawford will be remembered as a level-headed person who stood by his values. He remained steadfast in his beliefs and was not easily convinced otherwise.”
Martin said he played a huge role in the enrichment of the youth, teaching young people how to be responsible and respect elders.
“One of his sayings was that you must never sit next to a fire of which you did not supply the wood.
“He was a true leader and never wanted someone else to do something that he himself had not done himself.
“People, especially the youth, looked up to him. He stayed in [Bethelsdorp] Extension 30 and played a huge role in the upliftment of the young ones in [Gqeberha’s] northern areas.
“One of the successes he had in life was the [Unakho] driving school he operated. Hundreds of youngsters and even adults obtained their driving licence through his thriving business.”
Raymond Mateza of Truth Squad Media described Fraser as a true friend, someone who went out of his way to help others.
“He was a strong disciplinarian, but a real people’s person,” Mateza said.
“He was an activist who stood head and shoulders above the rest [and] who always got things done.
“There was always a word of advice from him for me, which I really appreciated.
“He stood up against gangsterism, but what I will remember him fondly by is the love he had for his children.”
Social media was flooded with messages of condolence for the family and memories people shared of the prominent figure.
Fraser, who lost his wife earlier in 2025, is survived by his son Joshua, 20, and daughter Abigail, 17.
– The Herald
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This article was first published in Talk of the Town, November 27, 2025. The newspaper serving the communities of Ndlambe and the Sunshine Coast, with a weekly wrap of Makhanda news, is available at stores from early on Thursdays
