Picture: The late Lungi Mnganga-Gcabashe
By OBAKENG MAJE
25 May 2025- The ANC president, Cyril Ramaphosa described the Deputy Preisdent of ANCWL, the late Lungi Mnganga-Gcabashe as the stalwart of the struggle. Ramaphosa said they gathered to bid a farewell to a leader and an activist whose life was defined by love and service.
He further said today, they bid farewell to a mother, a sister, an aunt, a freedom fighter, a comrade. Ramaphosa added that, on behalf of the leadership and membership of the African National Congress (ANC), they express their deepest condolences and sympathies to her family, friends and comrades.
“While we were preparing to bid farewell to our comrade, the Deputy President of the ANC Women’s League, we heard the news of the passing of the former president of the Women’s League and a stalwart of our struggle, Getrude Shope.
“In an African hut, there’s a pole that stands in the middle and it is called Intsika. African women are
the izintsika in our homes, in our families and in the nation. They keep everything intact, like that pole in the middle of a traditional hut,” he said.
Ramaphosa said having to lose two izintsika in succession, deepens their pain. He said although they were of different generations, they were of the same political lineage.
“They fought for the same cause. Lungi Mnganga-Gcabashe was drawn into political action by a deep desire for peace, for freedom and for justice. She lived her life in the service of others, in the service of her people and in the service of her country.
“She has walked every step of our journey to democracy with the people of South Africa. Mnganga-Gcabashe has worked with the people to overcome every challenge they face and celebrated with the people for every success achieved,” said Ramaphosa.
He said Mnganga-Gcabashe joined the struggle at a time of great turbulence and conflict in this province. Ramaphosa said she became active in local structures at a time of heightened repression, when the forces of apartheid sought to sow division, to turn communities against each other.
“It was her calm and determined manner, her sincerity, her integrity that propelled her to leadership in local peace committees at a young age. From these early experiences, she knew the destruction and the pain of division.
“Throughout her life, she dedicated herself to forge unity within communities, within organisations and within her country. She knew that a people united could never be defeated,” he said.
Ramaphosa said Mnganga-Gcabashe knew that unless they settled their differences, unless they overcame the conflicts of the past, they would not be able to move forward. He said they would not be able to build a South Africa that belongs to its entire people.
“South Africa that is just, equal and prosperous. It is at a time like now, when we have seen a resurgence of racial antagonism from some quarters that we need people with the conviction of Cde Lungi.
“The year of renewal to make the ANC a more effective instrument of the people to achieve the vision of the Freedom Charter: The people shall govern. The people shall share in the country’s wealth,” said Ramaphosa.
The Guardian 