ANC MP Jacqui Mofokeng dies of COVID-19, a day after her daughter

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African National Congress (ANC) Member of Parliament, Jacqui Mofokeng tragically died just a day after her daughter, Thato, reportedly succumbed to COVID-19, the ANC announced in a statement on Thursday, 22 April.

The ANC in Gauteng said it was shocked by the news of the death of Mofokeng who served the political party as a Deputy Chief Whip, a Member of the Gauteng Provincial Legislature and was currently a Member of Parliament. “[Comrade] Jacqui tragically passed away a day after her daughter passed on,” read the statement. Mofokeng was a long-serving member of the ANC in Gauteng and has been a part of the provincial legislature for 20 years, from 1999 until 2019. She served as the Chairperson of the Standing Committee on Oversight on the Office of the Premier and Legislature and several portfolio committees. According to the ANC, Mofokeng understood that the legislature “was a site of struggle” that should be used to “advance transformation” and “improve the quality of lives of the people.”

 

The party called Mofokeng a trailblazer as she championed many causes that are now public interest matters of women empowerment and the protection of the rights of women and children. “Comrade Jacqui understood that the struggle for national liberation was equally a struggle against sexism and gender oppression,” said the ANC. Mofokeng began her “illustrious political life” as a youth and gender activist in Tshwane, serving as the Regional Secretary and Chairperson of the ANC Women’s League (ANCWL).

 

She later became the first woman Regional Deputy Chairperson in Tshwane. “The untimely demise of [Comrade] Jacqui and her daughter Thato is a grim reminder that death is always with us and we are still in the battle against the invisible enemy called COVID-19,” said the ANC. “It is with heavy hearts that we bid farewell to an outstanding patriot, a champion for the marginalised and the downtrodden and the defender of the Women and Children.”

 

There was an outpouring of grief about Mofokeng’s untimely death on Twitter. Gauteng Education Minister Panyaza Lesufi tweeted: “Hamba Kahle, Qhawekazi! You remained a true cadre of our movement to the end. We will forever cherish the role you played in the emancipation of our people and women in particular.” “Absolutely shocked to hear of the passing of the @MYANC‘s Mam’ Jacqui Mofokeng,” said another user.

 
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