A Loyal Representative Of The People Passes On
The Presiding Officers (POs) of Parliament, the Speaker of the National Assembly (NA), Ms Thandi Modise, and the Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces Chairperson (NCOP), Mr Amos Masondo, extended their heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of Member of Parliament Ms Mpho Adolphina Tongwane on her passing. Ms Tongwane was a member of the African National Congress (ANC).
Ms Tongwane joined Parliament in 2008 as a Member of the NA. She served on the Portfolio Committee on Environment, Forestry and Fisheries, the Portfolio Committee on Home Affairs and the Portfolio Committee on Human Settlements.
The POs said Ms Tongwane was a hardworking and dedicated parliamentarian who served the people of South Africa with diligence, passion and commitment. Through her experience, knowledge and understanding of legislative and oversight matters, she made an immense contribution to the quality of laws and her other committee work.
They said this period has been one of the most difficult in Parliament’s history, as the institution has lost people in the Covid-19 pandemic. Parliament has been left poorer by the passing of such a devoted public representative, with her untiring commitment and dedication to the service of the people.
The Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Environment, Forestry and Fisheries, Mr Fikile Xasa, said: “Ms Tongwane leaves an indelible mark that will remain as a shining legacy of her contribution in the project of building the South African nation.”
Ms Tongwane was a pleasant, lovely and soft-spoken person, Mr Xasa said, who was loved by all her colleagues and parliamentary officials in the committee for her wonderful disposition. “She will certainly
be missed and the committee is truly poorer without Ms Tongwane who brought a useful insight, experience and a unique perspective to the work of the committee.” She took seriously her role as a public representative and served her people well.