ANC Deputy Secretary General Jessie Duarte, 68, has passed away following her fight with cancer. Duarte has been on sick leave since last year and Paul Mashatile has taken over the role in the meantime.
The party expressed its sadness, saying her death is a great loss, not only to her family, ‘but also to the party and the country as a whole’. They described her as a dedicated activist who strived for a united, non-racial, non-sexist, democratic and prosperous South Africa.
“Duarte was both a tower of strength and matriarch and pillar to her family,” ANC National spokesperson Pule Mabe said in a statement.
A few months ago, fake reports about Darte’s death were reported. The ANC quickly dismissed them. The party said those spreading the fake news should take responsibility or it would approach relevant authorities over the matter. The ANC said Duarte was well and on the road to full recovery.
Duarte was one of the longest serving member of the ruling party’s national executive council (NEC), having been elected in 1999 under former president Thabo Mbeki’s administration.
Duarte will be buried on Sunday afternoon in Johannesburg in line with Muslim rites.
Statement from the #ANC #JessieDuarte pic.twitter.com/PQE8kDjtkN
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