Johannesburg – Former agriculture, forestry, and fisheries Minister Tina Joemat-Pettersson has died.
Joemat-Pettersson passed away at her home in Cape Town on Monday evening at the age of 60.
Parliament’s Presiding Officers said they have “learnt with sadness and shock” of the sudden passing of ANC MP Joemat-Pettersson.
In a joint statement, National Assembly Speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, and the Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces Amos Masondo, said the untimely passing of one of South Africas seasoned politicians and lawmakers was a great loss not only to her family and political party but the nation which she has served in various capacities.
Joemat-Pettersson served as an ANC MP, and as the Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Police.
Recently, she served as a member of the Section 194 Ad hoc Committee and the Ad hoc Committee on Flood Disaster Relief and Recovery.
She previously served the country as the minister of energy and agriculture.
The Presiding Officers said: “Ms Joemat-Petterssons 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.
“She exuded great energy, passion, and goodwill, and was not afraid to speak her mind. May her soul rest in peace”.
Parliament extended “its heartfelt condolences to her family, friends, political home – the ANC and all South Africans on this loss”.
President Cyril Ramaphosa has expressed his sadness at the passing of Joemat-Pettersson.
“President Ramaphosa offers his sincere condolences to the family of the former Minister, and especially her sons Austin and Terrence,” the Presidency said Monday night.
“The President extends his sympathy to the friends, comrades and parliamentary colleagues of the late leader who was born in Kimberley and served as MEC for Education from 1994.”
President Ramaphosa said: 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.
We will miss the passion and vigour with which Tina Joemat-Pettersson fought for a better South Africa from the rural villages of the Northern Cape to the benches of Parliament and international platforms.
May her soul rest in peace.
Joemat-Pettersson was recently named in a newspaper report that claimed she tried to facilitate a bribe for African National Congress (ANC) MPs to get suspended public protector, Busisiwe Mkhwebane, off the hook.
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