ANC bigwigs
ANC and South African Communist Party big guns yesterday descended on the village of Frankfort to attend the funeral of ANC MP Fezeka Loliwe.
The visitors included Minister of Transport Blade Nzimande, Minister of Public Works Thulas Nxesi, ANC Chief Whip Jackson Mthembu, Minister of Labour Mildred Oliphant and Parliamentary deputy speaker Lechesa Tsenoli.
Unionist and former teacher Loliwe was killed in a tragic accident last week on her way from Fort Beaufort to Alice.
Yesterday Ndzimande, who is also the secretary-general of the SACP – a party Loliwe served in on its central command team – said the death of Loliwe was not only a loss to the SACP but to the nation.
He described Loliwe as a disciplined communist who had fought corruption in all the structures she had served in.
“Although this may record as a big loss to the communist party, the greater loss will be felt by the country. Fezeka loved education and has followed in the footsteps of other women leaders who have led in the SACP,” said Ndzimande.
MP Willy Madisha said Loliwe had served South Africa with integrity and had left at a time when the country needed more people like her.
“She has served the people of South Africa with integrity, through her time in trade unions and ultimately when she served as a member of the South African parliament,” he said.
IFP MP Mkhuleko Hlengwa said as a young parliamentarian Loliwe had displayed qualities he admired.
“In the short stint that she was in parliament, she showed an amazing commitment to her party and to the assembly. As members of other parties coming to this funeral, it is the true test of the democracy that we can differ politically but agree on human principles. Our heartfelt condolences go out to the ANC and the SACP,” he said.
Other parliamentarians in the crowd included Thoko Didiza and Zukiswa Rantho.