Edna Molewa passes away

Her death was confirmed by her political party, the African National Congress (ANC), on Saturday. 

She passed away in a Pretoria hospital. 

Molewa was a member of the ANC’s National Executive Committee (NEC) and served in various portfolios in cabinet.

Before being appointed as the minister of environmental affairs, Molewa was the minister of social development and the first female premier of North West. 

The ANC’s Pule Mabe said Molewa’s death is an enormous loss to the party and the country. 

"Her passing on has left the ANC and the country poorer given her role in advancing the country’s transformation agenda. 

"She has been and will always remain a symbol of rare social and political activist who rose in the ranks of the democratic since her involvement in the trade unions before joining the North West provincial government as MEC in various departments before being a premier of the province,” he said in a statement. 

"Her role was noticeable and she was affirmed as a leader of the ANC NEC, NWC and a Cabinet Minister in various departments. 

"Our history as a country will not be complete without acknowledging the pivotal role that individuals like her played in enhancing the impact of the collective effort to make South Africa a better place."

President Cyril Ramaphosa described working with Molewa as a privilege. 

“This is a devastating loss to our nation and to the global community who owe a great debt of gratitude to the late Minister Molewa for her championship nationally and globally for the environmental integrity of a  sustainable planet Earth that can be shared and enjoyed by all nations and all people, rich and poor.

“Minister Molewa has distinguished herself in many capacities and causes from her contribution to our liberation to fighting for equality of women in our society. We shall miss her greatly,” he said in a statement.

President Ramaphosa has declared a period of mourning and ordered that the national flag be flown at half-mast.