The Citizen reports that former Labour Minister Membathisi Mdladlana died on Friday at the age of 72. According to family spokesperson Mayibuye Sokupe, Mdladlana died at his Cape Town home earlier in the day after struggling to breathe.
He indicated: “[He had] no illness to mention; it was old age. He had problems with breathing here and there. He passed away early this morning after having his breakfast while watching TV, but he was not sick.” President Cyril Ramaphosa said Mdladlana’s death was a loss to his family and friends and the nation, noting further that he was one of the pioneers who provided leadership “at a time of great repression by the state and growing resistance by the people.” The Democratic Alliance said Mdladlana’s contributions to the development of SA’s Constitution and service in government during the infant stages of democracy will be remembered. The Ahmed Kathrada Foundation called him an important figure in building the SA Democratic Teachers’ Union (Sadtu) and advocating for the rights of educators. Mdladlana headed up the Labour Ministry from July 1998 to 2009. Before that, he served as chairperson of Parliament’s Constitutional Assembly Committee from 1994 to 1996, a member of the Home Affairs Portfolio Committee from 1994 to 1998, and a member of the National Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Education from 1994 to 1998.
- Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Kyle Zeeman & Chulumanco Mahamba at The Citizen
- Read too, Former Labour Minister Membathisi Mdladlana dies aged 72, at EWN
Get other news reports at the SA Labour News home page