ANC mourns as two stalwarts die of illness

MEC Mashamba, ex-chief of protocol Modise pass on

ANC has lost two of its stalwarts who were admitted at two different hospitals in Gauteng.

Ambassador Billy Modise, former chief of state protocol, passed away on Wednesday night at a Pretoria hospital.

Joyce Mashamba died on the same day at Life Fourways Hospital in Johannesburg. Mashamba, who was a Limpopo agriculture MEC, was a former member of the ANC national executive committee.

Yesterday President Cyril Ramaphosa sent his condolences to the family of Modise who died aged 87. He had visited him at the hospital hours before he passed.

“Our country and our people have suffered a great loss in the passing of ambassador Billy Modise. He served his country selflessly and diligently.

“We wish to convey our deepest words of condolence to his family, friends and relatives as well as members of the diplomatic corps,” Ramaphosa said.

“May his rest in peace.”

Meanwhile tributes for Mashamba continued to pour in at her Limpopo home, with family spokeswoman Staff Sithole saying she had suffered from a kidney-related ailment.

Sithole said the family was devastated at Mashamba’s passing.

Limpopo premier Stanley Mathabatha yesterday said Mashamba died at a time when the people of the province were yearning for her leadership.

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