PHUTI MOSOMANE
MODIMOLLE-Mookgophong Mayor Marlene van Staden has died after battling breast cancer.
42-year-old Marlene Van Staden is known for being instrumental in forging relationships with civil society organisations to better capacitate and improve governance.
Commentators commonly referred to her as the face of better local government in Waterberg.
The DA confirmed her passing in a statement on Thursday.
“It is with immense sadness that the Democratic Alliance learned of the tragic passing of Modimolle-Mookgophong Mayor, Marlene van Staden, earlier today after a long battle with illness, DA leader John Steenhuisen said.
Aside from being the DA’s only mayor in the province of Limpopo, he said Marlene was a trailblazing politician and pioneering public servant who overcame tremendous obstacles in the Modimolle-Mookgophong municipality to bring better government to all who live in the area.
“Marlene was deeply loved by her party, her province, and her caucus where she was an incredibly dynamic and forthright Mayor who lived and breathed the DA’s values and principles,” Steenhuisen added.
In many ways, she created the blueprint for the DA’s whole-of-society approach to governance which has the potential to change the face of the South African government in its entirety.
As one of the DA’s flagship mayors, Marlene was dedicated, resilient, and a powerhouse of local government – her strength of conviction and sheer determination softened by a wonderful sense of humour and gentle kindness.
As a person, Marlene van Staden was infectiously buoyant and optimistic, with a can-do attitude and admirable lust for life. There was no task that she did not undertake with immense passion and a sense of genuine and heartfelt goodwill.
“Her friends, family, and colleagues will remember her as a true go-getter and an individual who could light up a room even in the darkest of times,” he said.
He said Van Staden “touched the lives of many, and will live on as a true example of a dedicated public servant, a loving wife and mother, and true friend. She will be sorely, sorely missed.”
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