Molewa's work ethic lauded at memorial service

"Achieving what she has on environmental sustainability was no small feat, building an Agulhus two, overseeing the oceans economy implementation and protecting our fauna and flora against all odds are all her lasting excellent contributions to our nation," Higher Education and Training Minister Naledi Pandor said on Wednesday.

The Minister was addressing the official memorial service for Molewa in Pretoria

Molewa passed away last week at the age of 61, following an illness.

"She had found her full passion - sustainability, responsiveness to climate change, protection of the oceans, a world intact for our great grandchildren that is what drove this minister, that is where her immense energy, intellect and resolve really showed," Pandor said.

She said Molewa was determined to ensure the climate change outcomes in 2011 were of substance.

"She worked tirelessly for that and succeeded. A passion one sees rarely in politics," Pandor said.

Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga also paid tribute to her friend describing her as a fearless woman who was full of energy.

"She had an amazing spirit of getting things done. With her passion we have lost one of the best among us," Motshekga said.

She said Molewa had a great work ethic and was generous.

"I have lost count of the number of occasions where she always came with her own family resources to rescue families in distress," Motshekga said.

Her daughter Keneilwe Mogosoa said her mother, who was a giant in the spirit, had an unexplainable presence and yet was gentle.

"She was loving, giving and continually inspired us to be like her. One of the great lessons she taught us was to do things right. She never believed in doing things for the sake of doing things, she was purposeful and intentional in everything that she did," Mogosoa said.

Her official funeral will be held on Saturday at Tshwane Events Centre and proceed to Zandfontein Cemetery in Pretoria West.