By Johnathan Paoli
The ANC has confirmed the passing former Gauteng MEC for Co-operative Governance, Traditional Affairs and Human Settlements, Dikgang Uhuru Moiloa.
In a statement on Saturday, ANC national spokesperson Mahlengi Bhengu conveyed the party’s condolences to Moiloa’s family, comrades and all South Africans whose lives he touched.
The party described Moiloa as “a devoted revolutionary, a selfless leader, and a lifelong servant of the people,” also noting that his contributions spanned the liberation struggle, policy development and public service.
“Comrade Uhuru believed in action over slogans. He studied policy, contributed to leadership, and helped build a public service grounded in social justice. For him, renewal was not a campaign but a moral responsibility, to rebuild the ANC on its founding values of unity, service, and revolutionary morality,” Bhengu said.
Moiloa, affectionately known as “Uhuru,” was part of the iconic 1976 generation of young South Africans who rose against apartheid with courage and conviction.
Shaped by the turbulence of that era, he was drawn into activism and ultimately trained as a combatant in uMkhonto weSizwe, the armed wing of the ANC.
The party said his political consciousness was forged in sacrifice and discipline.
“His life did not belong to him alone,” the statement read.
“It was given wholly to the noble cause of the liberation of our people. He walked the path of freedom with clarity, compassion, and purpose.”
As South Africa transitioned into democracy in the early 1990s, Moiloa’s leadership extended beyond the battlefield into the realm of ideas.
He played a significant role in the development of the Reconstruction and Development Programme (RDP) base document, which became the cornerstone of the country’s social and economic transformation agenda under the new democratic dispensation.
The RDP sought to address the inequalities of apartheid by prioritising housing, healthcare, education, and employment.
Moiloa’s involvement on this foundation reflected his deep concern with ensuring that the gains of democracy translated into dignity and material improvement for ordinary citizens.
Moiloa entered the Gauteng Provincial Legislature (GPL) in 1994/95, where he dedicated decades of service to strengthening South Africa’s democratic institutions.
His tenure was marked by distinction and depth, serving in a variety of roles that demonstrated both his capacity and his character.
From 2008 to 2013, he held the position of Chairperson of Committees before being appointed Deputy Speaker of the Legislature.
The party noted that these leadership positions prepared him for higher responsibilities, culminating in his appointment as Gauteng MEC for Human Settlements and Local Government.
As MEC, Moiloa was tireless in his advocacy for housing, local governance, and community upliftment.
He insisted that development was not an abstract policy concept but a fundamental human right.
His work particularly focused on townships, informal settlements, and the plight of backroom dwellers, always emphasising that people’s dignity must come first.
Beyond his executive duties, Moiloa played a crucial role in ensuring that democratic institutions functioned effectively and compassionately.
He worked behind the scenes to improve support systems for public representatives and veterans of the liberation struggle.
The ANC statement highlighted his efforts to protect the healthcare, pensions, and dignity of struggle veterans.
Moiloa also viewed renewal of the ANC not as a political slogan but as a moral responsibility.
He believed the party had to rebuild itself on its founding values of unity, service, and revolutionary morality.
His constant message across platforms, from ANC Provincial Task Teams to the Legislature, was that leaders must act with humility, integrity, and unwavering loyalty to the people.
In mourning Moiloa, the ANC described him as a leader who believed in action over words, a policymaker who combined clarity of thought with a passion for justice, and a comrade who left an indelible mark on both the party and the nation.
The party extended heartfelt condolences to the Moiloa family, his comrades in Gauteng, and the broader movement of South Africans who benefitted from his decades of service.
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