ANC deputy secretary general Jessie Duarte has passed away at the age of 68 in the early hours of this morning at her home, after long battle with cancer.
The party’s spokesperson Pule Mabe said Duarte has been on medical leave since November last year, and lost the battle to cancer today.
“It is with profound sadness that the ANC has learned of the passing of our Deputy secretary general, comrade Yasmin ‘Jessie’ Duarte, during the early morning of Sunday, 17 July 2022.
“The ANC expresses its heartfelt condolences to the Duarte, Dangor, and Whitley extended families, and friends.
“Comrade Jessie was undergoing treatment for cancer, and was on medical leave since November 2021,” said ANC in a released statement.
She is set to be buried this afternoon as per Muslim rites.
ANC has described her as both a tower of strength to the organisation as well as a matriarch and pillar of her family.
Duarte is a long time anti-apartheid activist, she has served variously as a special assistant to former President Nelson Mandela.
She was also a member of the provincial cabinet (MEC) for Gauteng, as ambassador to Mozambique.
She was the spokesperson for the ANC, before assuming her post as deputy secretary general of the party in 2012.
Duarte is survived by her children, grandchildren, siblings, and extended family.
You may also be interested in:
Jealous woman arrested for ‘stabbing’ boyfriend to death
Free State ANC condemns Magashule for attending EFF rally
Environmental deputy minister Sotyu hands-over R3 million waste collection truck to Matjhabeng
Ramaphosa gives green light to July 2021 unrest report release
Magashule faces major blow as SCA rejects ‘step-aside’ appeal
Suspended ANC Secretary-General Ace Magashule is in hot water yet again!
Angie Motshekga acts as SA President- only for short period
