The African National Congress Deputy Secretary General and anti-apartheid struggle heroine, Jessie Duarte has died aged 69.
In a statement the African National Congress conveyed its heartfelt condolences to her family and relatives.
Duarte was first admitted to hospital in November 2021. She has been on medical leave whilst undergoing treatment.
She was assisted in the execution of her duties and functions by the Treasurer General, Paul Mashatile, to ensure that the work of the Office of the Secretary General continues uninterrupted, the ANC had earlier reported.
The statement reads “the passing of comrade Jessie is a great loss not only to his family but to the democratic movement and South Africa.
She is the former South African High Commissioner to Mozambique, provincial secretary of the Federation of Transvaal Women, banned person, political detainee, Chief Operations Officer in the Presidency, previous National Spokesperson for the ANC, Deputy Secretary General of the ANC and a member of the ANC NEC.
Jessie Yasmin Duarte was born on 19 September in 1953, one of nine siblings in Newclare, Johannesburg, Transvaal (now Gauteng) to Julie and Ebrahim Dangor. She went to school in Coronationville, Johannesburg, Transvaal (now Gauteng) and completed her Standard Ten (Grade 12) at the Coronationville Secondary School.
Duarte started her professional career as a Management Accountant.
The ANC announced that she will be buried this afternoon in Johannesburg according to Muslim rites.