Msimang fought to liberate the masses
Condolences pour in for ANC veteran, former treasurer
Messages of condolences poured in yesterday following the death of former ANC treasurer Mendi Msimang, who spent his last days in and out of hospital.
The Thabo Mbeki Foundation said Msimang was an outstanding leader who served the ANC from the late 1950s until his passing. Former international relations deputy minister Aziz Pahad said he regretted that he could not visit Msimang in hospital recently after he was advised against it.
He recalled how Msimang gave his life to liberate the country at a young age, and that he had worked closely with late ANC leaders Oliver Tambo and Nelson Mandela. “Under former president Thabo Mbeki, he became the treasurer-general and there has been no rumours of corruption [against him] while in that position.
“South Africa has lost an outstanding leader. We will miss him as a mentor ... he was modest and accessible to anyone who needed advice,” Pahad, who is now chairperson of ministerial review panel on foreign policy, said. He said he was sad he had not been able to visit him in his last days. Former SA ambassador to the US, Welile Nhlapo said he had known Msimang for more than 30 years, noting that Msimang had always been a seasoned diplomat and leader. “When I saw the news of his passing this morning [yesterday], I knew we have lost a father, comrade, mentor and someone who had time to listen to all of us. We will all miss his wisdom,” he said. The ANC also sent its condolences to his family, saying he was a longserving member of the party, “having cut his wisdom teeth along with late Walter Sisulu and others in the ANC Youth League as a student”.
The ANC applauded him for remaining 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 party’s integrity commission appointed in 2013 and a member of the advisory board on national orders.
He was elected to the first democratic parliament in 1994, serving as the first chairperson of the ANC caucus. He was appointed as high commissioner of SA to the UK from 1995 to 1998. In 1997, he was elected as treasurer-general at the Mafikeng National Elective Conference, a position he held until 2007. “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,” the ANC said.
Msimang was husband to late health minister Manto Tshabalala-Msimang, who died on December 16 2009.