The Deputy secretary general for ANC Jessie Duarte, has passed away. The famous politician was 68 years old. ANC released a statement to confirm her death and the cause.
Duarte, who had been on medical leave for eight months (since November 2021), passed on Sunday morning after fighting cancer for many months. Last year, she was admitted to the hospital with gastrointestinal complications, which demanded some examinations, an interventional procedure and other therapy.
The ANC voiced its unhappiness, expressing her demise as a significant loss, not only to her relative but also to ANC and the country.
The serving party has defined her as a devoted activist who aspired for a unified, non-racial, non-sexist, democratic and thriving South Africa.
Born on the 19th of September 1953, Jessie Yasmin Duarte was a long-time anti-apartheid activist who was the special assistant to former South Africa President Nelson Mandela. She was also a member of the Gauteng provincial government as MEC for Safety and Security in 1994.
Duarte furthermore served as the country’s ambassador to Mozambique. Before she was appointed as current ANC Deputy Secretary-General in 2012, she acted as the ANC spokesperson.
To follow her Islamic tradition, Duarte will be buried on Sunday afternoon. More information about her memorial service will be announced soon.
