By BAKANG MOKOTO
Heartfelt condolences messages continue to pour in after the passing of ANC Deputy Secretary-general, Yasmin Jessie Duarte, who died yesterday morning. Duarte, who succumbed to cancer, was buried at the Westpark Cemetery in Johannesburg in accordance with Muslim rites of passage.
The ANC Interim Provincial Committee (IPC) spokesperson in North West, Kenny Morolong said Duarte (68), was one of the movement’s most accomplished activists, matriarchs and disciplinarians.
“Duarte exemplified the kind of cadre of the ANC required in this phase of our struggle for a democratic, non-racial, non-sexist and prosperous society. Her attributes as a cadre of our movement included her unshaken discipline, humility, modesty, commitment to serve the people, criticism and self-criticism.
“She understood that national and gender consciousness are the ingredients to societal and organisational growth. We celebrate her unwavering commitment to the cause of the people, sacrifice and selflessness which became her hallmarks of revolutionary discipline,” Morolong said.
In her last visit to the North West Province, Duarte issued a stern warning to all members of the ANC and urged them to reconnect with the people, rebuild the party and renew their commitment to a radical socio-economic transformation of the lives of the people.
So, Morolong said in her honour, they recommit to the values of the ANC, the resuscitation of their relationship with the people, aim to serve them and renew the party. He further said the ANC dipped its revolutionary black, green and gold flag in honour of Duarte, whom he described as the distinguished daughter of the peoples’.
The ANC Chief Whip in the North West Provincial Legislature (NWPL), Paul Sebegoe said: “Duarte was a revolutionary giant, human rights activist and a champion of non-racialism. She fought a courageous fight against cancer and left a legacy of selflessness that characterised her revolutionary life as well as her contribution to the struggle for liberation.
“Even in the face of what was undoubtedly the most difficult challenge to her health, she showed the character that defined her leadership and unwavering commitment to the renewal and unity programme.”
Meanwhile, the Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities in Parliament, Nonhlanhla Ncube-Ndaba shared the same sentiments. Ncube-Ndaba said Duarte was a special gift with many elements to South Africa. She said among the elements of the gift she was, Duarte was a fearless activist, who devoted her life to fighting for constitutional democracy, non-racialism, non-sexism and peace in South Africa.
“She was a fearless leader of the people who assumed leadership positions in different organisations that fought the vicious tyranny of apartheid at a time when it was high risk and cause for death or long time imprisonment under apartheid to do so.
“As a leader and a representative of the people, Ms Duarte was among a team of leaders who represented the oppressed during negotiations at CODESA and at other platforms where negotiations for the establishment of a democratic South Africa took place. Also, she was among the first women who were appointed as Members of Cabinet in the Gauteng Provincial Government where she was appointed as MEC for Safety and Security,” she said.
The Guardian 