By Akani Nkuna
President Cyril Ramaphosa has described Lungi Mnganga-Gcabashe as a woman of deep humility, integrity and unwavering commitment to public service.
He was delivering the eulogy at the funeral of the ANC Women’s League Deputy President, who passed away last weekend after a short illness, aged 64.
Ramaphosa praised Mnganga-Gcabashe’s decades-long dedication to the struggle for freedom and her role in shaping democratic South Africa.
“[She was adorned] with values of integrity, hard work, discipline, compassion, humility, and responsibility and accountability to her people,” Ramaphosa told mourners and dignitaries at Durban’s Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre.
“She is one of those outstanding women who has walked every step of our people’s journey to democracy with fortitude and diligence.”
Mnganga-Gcabashe was laid to rest in Durban, Kwazulu-Natal, following a solemn ceremony attended by dignitaries and officials from opposition political parties.
Ramaphosa noted her graceful presence and gentle warmth she exuded in every environment, even in the way that she carried out her duties and the way that she listened to those that she served.
“She was a beautiful woman, serene, who in many ways radiated a quite strength and inner peace that continue to captivate many without effort. Her beautiful features were soft and quite harmonious,” Ramaphosa said.
He said Mnganga-Gcabashe devoted her life to fostering unity, whether within her communities, her political organization or the broader nation.
He further said that she believed that a united nation could be easily divided, and worked tirelessly to bring individuals together around shared values and purpose.
“People like Mnganga-Gcabashe forge unity and they know that it is vital to building peace. To ensuring that there is stability and progress. Their role is not just important, it is a role that is foundational to rebuilding trust amongst people, to healing wounds and to setting communities and indeed a nation on a new path,” he said.
Additionally, speaking in the context of ongoing factional battles within the AN, Ramaphosa urged party members to emulate her example and put unity and service above personal interests.
“At a time when our communities are being torn apart by many social ills, such as: gangsterism and violent crime, corruption and patronage, by a biter contestation for public resources; it for this time we need comrades like Mnganga-Gcabashe,” he said.
Ramaphosa also extended his condolences to the family of former ANC Women’s League president and apartheid stalwart Gertrude Hlophe, whom he described as a pillar of the ANC movement.
He expressed deep sadness at her passing on Thursday, which occurred during the ongoing preparations to bury Mnganga-Gcabashe on Saturday.
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