By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Former Free State Premier Beatrice Marshoff has passed away on Saturday morning at the Chris Hani Baragwanath hospital in Soweto.
She was 66.
Premier Mxolisi Dukwana confirmed the death of Marshoff in a statement on Saturday.
Dukwana hailed Marshoff, whom he said was one of four female premiers to have served the province since 1994.
“Marshoff, was one of the four female Premiers the Free State has had, since the dawn of democracy in 1994. She succeeded late former Premier Winkie Direko as the premier from April 2004 until May 2009 and was replaced by Ace Magashule on 6 May 2009.”
Dukwana has extended his deepest condolences to Marshoff’s family.
The ANC Mangaung region also paid tribute to Marshoff, saying it is shocked to learn of her death.
“She served with high moral and highest ethical standards expected of ANC deployees.Premier Marshoff remained a symbol of pride for the people of Free State and one of the pioneers in women leadership who proved the decision of the ANC as correct that it had capable women to lead at the highest echelons of power.”
“The late Premier is a hero of our people, she is the embodiment of outstanding stateswomen who knew and understood that serving the people was an act of the highest sacrifice with no expectation for any reward, ANC said in a statement.”
Marshoff was an ANC member of Parliament between 1994 and 1999.
President Cyril Ramaphosa has also expressed his condolences to the family and friends of former Free State Premier, Beatrice Marshoff.
“Beatrice Marshoff was the embodiment of selfless and true servant leadership. She embraced her leadership roles with vigour, taking on the joys and hardships of leadership with equal measure.
“Marshoff was relentless in her stance against corruption, maladministration and abuse of public office. She was never afraid of taking unpopular decisions even within her own party and against so-called popular individuals.
“Being unencumbered by the trappings and privilege of political office, she returned to her nursing profession – an act that personified her true humility and dedication to serving our people, “Ramaphosa said.
After quitting politics, Marshoff went back to nursing, and before her retirement from that profession, she worked as a theatre scrub sister.