ANC 3-day NEC on hold Saturday as party’s top brass attends Violet Siwela's funeral
The late 68-year-old ANC MP and NEC member died over a week ago, following a short stay in the hospital.
The funeral service for the late ANC NEC member Voilet Siwela on 27 January 2024 in Bushbuckridge, Mpumalanga. Picture: X/MyANC
JOHANNESBURG - The ANC's three-day National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting was put on hold on Saturday as the party’s top brass attended the funeral of late member of Parliament (MP) and NEC member Violet Siwela.
Siwela died over a week ago, following a short stay in the hospital.
The 68-year-old is believed to have suffered from peptic ulcer disease and later developed a gastrointestinal tumour.
ANC Deputy President Paul Mashatile and Chairperson Gwede Mantashe are among those in attendance as Siwela’s family and friends celebrate her life.
Delivering Siwela’s eulogy, Mashatile told mourners in Mpumalanga that she left a lasting impression as a dedicated public servant.
“Comrade Siwela served well and left a lasting legacy of furthering women’s rights and interests within the ANC. Her shining personality would shine through as a mindful sister and loyal comrade. Comrade Siwela was a dedicated activist who served the people of South Africa with great determination.”
Mashatile said Siwela’s passing was a blow for the governing party’s election campaign in the build-up to the hotly contested polls.
“As we approach the end of this lap of the sixth democratic administration, we believe that her spirit will always be with us. Even though it hurts, we are encouraged to finish well and maintain the legacy of the revolution and struggle she fought until the end.”