Msimang ‘a relentless and calm activist’
THE ANC has hailed its former treasurer general Mendi Msimang as a relentless and calm activist who served South Africa diligently and always upheld the utmost decorum and respect.
The party described Msimang, who died aged 78 on Monday following a long illness, as an unwavering revolutionary.
The Department of International Relations and Co-operation said it would hold a memorial service in honour of Msimang today.
He was married to the late DrManto Tshabalala-Msimang, who served as minister of health from 1999 to 2008 under former president Thabo Mbeki. Tshabalala Msimang died in 2009. “We salute him for his unwavering and steadfast commitment to serve selflessly and with humility. We will continue to celebrate his life and leadership and preserve his legacy for future generations to learn from him,” said ANC secretary-general Ace Magashule.
Msimang was part of the ANC Youth League alongside struggle stalwarts such as Walter Sisulu and served the ANC in exile after it was banned in 1961. “Mendi Msimang remained a relentless and calm activist and patriot, who despite his advanced age continued to serve the country and the ANC as a member of the ANC Integrity Commission appointed in 2013 and a member of the Advisory Board on National Orders,” Magashule said.
After the ANC’s unbanning Msimang was also elected on to its national executive committee at its first conference in 1991 and became its treasurer general following the ANC’s Mafikeng conference in 1997, a role he would serve in for a decade.
President Cyril Ramaphosa said that in Msimang South Africa had lost a servant-leader and patriot of great distinction.
“Tata Msimang was strong of character and principle, which he conveyed with humility and kindness.
“With his passing, he joins a gallery of extraordinary South Africans who have bid us farewell in recent months and whose passing should inspire all of us to appreciate our history more, and honour their legacy with unstinting work for a better future,” he said.
The IFP’s national executive committee also paid tribute to Msimang.
“Mr Msimang served our country diligently and always upheld the utmost decorum and respect.
“He did a lot of work all over the world for our beloved country, and his efforts will never be forgotten,” said IFP national spokesperson Mkhuleko Hlengwa.
The ANC said that it would be meeting Msimang’s family to “assist in all preparations to see off a distinguished revolutionary and a leader of our people”.