By LESIBA KGWELE
I have had the honour to serve alongside the former Deputy Minister of Tourism and Presidential Envoy on Tourism, Ms Elizabeth Thabethe as my former colleague in the National Assembly, ANC Whippery (1999-2004) and also served her as Parliamentary/Media Liaison Officer towards the end of her term.
This remarkable servant of our people was a true patriot, revolutionary cadre, peacemaker who mobilised women for reconciliation during the ANC/Inkatha violent conflict in the East Rand, a unifier as well as agent of economic transformation and a champion of women & youth enterprises.
The former trade unionist, gender activist and protégé of the late ANC Stalwart Mama Bertha Gxowa, was a woman of character, consequence as well as strength and action wherever an injustice was being perpetuated.
South Africa and the African Continent that has benefitted from rendezvous and crisscrossing of the continent during her stints as Deputy Ministers for the Departments of Trade and Industry, Small Business and Tourism hence we are today celebrating her tireless efforts for having laid a solid foundation for the African Free Trade Agreement.
We will undoubtedly be poorer as a country without her good stewardship to carry out her new mission of being the Presidential Envoy on Investments.
She was a silent giant that moved economic barriers that hindered opportunities for the historically marginalised and a great asset for the country’s economic recovery plan that is supposed to take us to a higher development trajectory and create the much needed job opportunities.
No task was too small for her or too big for this courageous gender activist that was not intimidated by affluence, masculinity nor patriarch. Economic development was for her an equalizer to bridge the urban rural divide and bring the historically marginalised into the mainstream of the economy.
The success of the Executive Development Programme for Women in Tourism, Hidden Gems and Youth Chefs Training Programme are footprints of the empowerment initiatives that she passionately drove to unlock opportunities and bringing the historically disadvantaged into the mainstream of economy.
Seeing other succeed through her tireless effort and contribution gave this upright leader with a conscience who proclaimed values greatest pleasure and satisfaction.
Sleep was for her a luxury when there was work to be done. She lived for the people of South Africa and the ANC and did not spare any energy to serve them diligently.
Those who have worked with her will forever treasure the values she espoused because she leaves behind a rich legacy as a nation builder and community development worker of note.
This phenomenal woman and remarkable servant of our people will be remembered for her principled selfless leadership, compassion, humility, dedication and passion to serve including her genuine love for people.
#HambaKahleMbokodo
#HambaKahleMsebenzi
Note: (The views expressed are those of the author and do not reflect the official policy or position of Taung DailyNews)
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