ANC mourns the passing of struggle stalwart Gertrude Shope.

By Lehlohonolo Lehana.

The African National Congress (ANC) stalwart and struggle veteran Getrude Shope has died at the age of 99 at her home in Gauteng. 

In a statement, the ANC said Shope died peacefully at her home on Thursday.

The party described Shope as a lifelong revolutionary, leader of profound discipline, courage and humility.

“She played a pivotal role in shaping the political direction of our movement and the emancipation of women in South Africa and beyond.”

“A lifelong revolutionary, Ma Shope, was a leader of profound discipline, courage and humility,” the ANC said.

Shope was born in Johannesburg, but grew up in Zimbabwe. 

At 29 she joined the ANC and soon afterwards left teaching as part of a campaign to boycott Bantu Education. 

 In 1966 the ANC convinced her to leave South Africa and join her husband, Mark Shope, in exile.

While in exile, Gertrude and her husband travelled frequently to lobby as representatives of the ANC. In 1991 Shope was elected president of the ANC’s Women’s League, a position she held until 1993. 

She worked together with Albertina Sisulu in convening the ANC’s Internal Leadership Corps Task Force from 1990-1991. In 1994 Shope became a member of parliament in the Government of National Unity.