By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Former agriculture and minister of energy and African National Congress (ANC) Member of Parliament (MP) Tina Joemat-Pettersson has died aged 59, the party confirmed on Monday evening.
“It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved comrade,” the ANC said in a statement.
“All those who love justice, freedom and democracy will sorely miss her intellectual sharpness, political maturity and passion for defending those who are vulnerable in our society, especially women. In this regard, Comrade Tina was unrelenting in her gender activism.”
“Death has robbed our movement and the people of South Africa of a humble, dependable and dedicated servant. The ANC pays tribute to this extraordinary freedom fighter whose sacrifices and commitment to the liberation of her people remain a source of inspiration to many young cadres of our movement,” the ANC said.
The ANC described Joemat-Pettersson as a leader “who chose to surrender her own life to the service of the people”.
The party said, “Her life was a living example that revolutionary leaders are not born, but emerge from experience. They are shaped and nurtured by the daily struggles of the people and the values of the freedom struggle.”
Joemat-Pettersson served as energy minister in Jacob Zuma’s cabinet from 2014 to 2017, and Minister of agriculture, forestry, and fisheries, from 2009 to 2014.
She resigned from parliament in 2017 but returned after the 2019 national elections, becoming the chairwoman of the portfolio committee on police.
The former minister has been embroiled in several controversies throughout her time in office – including her role in a failed nuclear deal and the travelgate saga.
She lost out on becoming the first deputy secretary general of the ANC to Nomvula Mokonyane at the party’s 55th elective conference in December 2022.
But she had been nominated for a top six position in the upcoming ANC Women’s League conference.
Joemat-Pettersson cut her teeth into politics at a young age and also served as a labour activist. She later went on to serve as the MEC of Education in the Northern Cape province and later the MEC of Agriculture until 2009. The 59-year-old also served as an ANC NEC member and was elected to the party’s National Working Committee in 2018.
In 2021, she became a member of the Ad-hoc Committee on the Section 194 Enquiry, which will determine if the suspended Public Protector, Busisiswe Mkhwebane is fit to hold office.
Last week Mkhwebane’s husband laid a complaint with the police accusing Joemat-Pettersson of trying to extort money from them to “make the inquiry go away”.
Joemat-Pettersson was born in the Northern Cape and was an active member of the Azanian Students’ Organisation between 1985 and 1986.
She became a teacher at Pescodia Secondary School in 1987 and also taught at Homevale Senior Secondary School between 1992 and 1993.
Between 1989 and 1991, she was a tutor in history; from 1992 to 1993, she was a tutor in English for the National Education Coordinating Committee and Education Development Trust.
She was also a research assistant to the head of the English department at the University of the Western Cape in 1990 and a member of the National People’s Education Panellist in 1992.
Joemat-Pettersson is survived by two sons.
Tributes have poured in for the ANC Member of Parliament
Democratic Alliance (DA) leader John Steenhuisen, on Monday evening, said his party was “deeply saddened” by Joemat-Pettersson’s death.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with her family and friends – and, of course, all her colleagues in Parliament at this very difficult time,” said Steenhuisen.
National Assembly Speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula and National Council of Provinces chairperson Amos Masondo said her untimely passing “was a great loss not only to her family and political party but the nation which she has served in various capacities”.
“Ms Joemat-Pettersson’s passing has left us reeling with shock. She will be remembered as an astute politician who used her skills, talents, and knowledge to advance legislative work to change the lives of ordinary South Africans.”
Her fellow ANC MP, Faiez Jacobs, said her sudden and unexpected passing came as a shock and had “left an indelible void in our ranks and hearts”.
From her early days as a political and labour activist, Joemat-Pettersson dedicated her life to the service of others, tirelessly campaigning for the ANC during the dawn of the country’s democracy in 1994.
“She was a trailblazer, elected at the young age of 30 to the Northern Cape province’s legislature, where she served as the MEC for education, arts and culture.
GOOD Party leader Patricia de Lille said: “We extend our condolences to her family. It is indeed a sad moment for the country.”
SA has lost a remarkable leader who dedicated herself to improving the quality of life in her home province of the Northern Cape and the entire nation, said President Cyril Ramaphosa.
We will miss the passion and vigour,” Ramaphosa said in a statement.
“We have lost a remarkable leader who dedicated herself to improving the quality of life in her home province of the Northern Cape in the early years of our democracy before assuming national responsibilities in key portfolios, “Ramaphosa said.