Riyaz Patel
President Cyril Ramaphosa has paid glowing tribute to South Africa’s late Deputy Minister of Mineral Resources Bavelile Hlongwa, who along with four other people, were run over and killed by a truck on the N1 from Polokwane on on 13 September.
The 38-year-old deputy minister had stopped to assist at another accident scene when the crash happened.
“As we mourn her untimely passing,” the president said, “we take solace in the purposeful and exemplary life that she led. She did more for her society in less than four decades of life than many who reach old age manage to do.“
Ramaphosa said her sterling qualities were as a result of an excellent upringing.
“Bavelile’s foremost attraction was her character, her humility, compassion, hard work and deepest sense of duty, which I am certain is a reflection of her upbringing. She was humane. Her kith and kin are beneficiaries of her unending benevolence.”
Ramaphosa said appointing her, and other young turks to his cabinet, was a statement of intent. “When we appointed her and other young people into the executive, we wanted to make a definite statement of faith in the youth of our country to affirm that the future of this country lies with them.”
As a young engineer, Hlongwa was a natural choice to connect with the youth and inspire them to follow science and technology fields and enter the energy sector, the president said
BV, as she was fondly known, was troubled by the pervasive abuse of women and children, Ramaphosa said, adding that she was one of the pathfinders seeking solutions to this blight in our society.
“In her memory,” the president continued, “we must pursue true economic transformation, where the previously disadvantaged command a substantial share in every key industry and sector, in terms of ownership, management, participation and benefit.”
Earlier, KZN Premier Sihle Zikalala said Hlongwa’s untimely death was a huge blow for the African National Congress (ANC), adding that she was known in the party for her “fearless and combative but constructive engagement.”
Mineral resources minister Gwede Mantashe described her as a brilliant deputy minister who was full of energy.
“I enjoyed the three months working with her. We were beginning to steer the department to a particular direction. She was very complimentary and not competitive as is always the case (with deputy ministers),” Mantashe said.
“The entire organisation (ANC) is gripped with a deep sense of unexpected loss. The nation is in mourning because it has lost its humble child, a patriot true to her vocation of serving humanity,” said Ramaphosa.
“As in life, Bavelile passed away in service to the people. In her demise we lost a captivating glimpse of the future leadership of our country and movement. Africa has been robbed of a promising star.”
