Jessie Duarte funeral

ANC deputy secretary general Jessie Duarte / Image via Twitter: @myanc

Ramaphosa declares Special Official Category 2 funeral for Jessie Duarte

Jessie Duarte passed away on Sunday morning after losing her battle with cancer. She will be buried today in Johannesburg.

Jessie Duarte funeral

ANC deputy secretary general Jessie Duarte / Image via Twitter: @myanc

President Cyril Ramaphosa has declared a Special Official Category 2 for ANC Deputy Secretary General Jessie Duarte. 

Duarte lost her battle with cancer and passed away in the early hours of Sunday, 17 July. 

SPECIAL OFFICIAL CATEGORY FUNERAL FOR JESSIE DUARTE

Jessie Duarte was a long-time anti-apartheid activist who served as Special Assistant to former President Nelson Mandela and struggle stalwart, Walter Sisulu.

Duarte served as High Commissioner to Mozambique and has held various other positions such as national spokesperson and Chief Operations Officer in the Presidency. Before that, she served in the Gauteng provincial executive council from 1990 and in 1994, she was the province’s MEC of safety and security.

Her political history dates all the way back to the 1970’s where alongside struggle stalwart Albertina Sisulu, she helped establish ANC Women’s League structures throughout the country.

President Ramaphosa has also passed his condolences to the family, friends and comrades of Ambassador Duarte, who dedicated her life to the liberation of South Africa and particularly the emancipation of women, said spokesperson, Vincent Magwenya. 

President Ramaphosa will deliver the eulogy at the funeral this afternoon.  

CONDOLENCES POUR IN FOR CDE JESSIE

Political parties have sent their heartfelt condolences to Duarte’s family and friends. 

The Economic Freedom Fighters said Duarte was a fierce, firm and forthright individual who paid her dues for the struggle for liberation in South Africa. 

“She was passionate about gender equality and fighting against forms of sexism and patriarchy. Duarte will be remembered fondly by many young men and women, who passed through her hands and grew through her guidance,” the party said.

The African Transformation Movement (ATM) said the late 68-year-old will be remembered as an honest and principled person. 

The GOOD party said Duarte was an unwavering and resilient champion of the people of South Africa who will be dearly remembered for her contribution to the freedom of South Africa with a life dedicated to the struggle against apartheid.

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