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ANC stalwart Ivy Gcina laid to rest

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ANC stalwart, Mama Ivy Gcina, has been laid to rest in Gqeberha in the Eastern Cape. Her funeral service was held at Feather Market Hall.
She was granted a category two special provincial official funeral by President Cyril Ramaphosa.

Gcina served as an ANC MP in Parliament from 1994 until her retirement in 2004.

She also served on various structures of different women’s organisations during the apartheid era. She served in the Women’s Committee of the Port Elizabeth Black Civic Organisation and was also the first chairperson of the Port Elizabeth Women’s Organisation.

She was also the leader of the United Democratic Front in the region. During her time of resistance, she was detained and tortured on numerous occasions. Her family remembered her as a wise and courageous woman. Her grandchild, Lerato Gcina, says they have learned so much from her.

“It actually hurts our feelings that we couldn’t spend more time with you during your weakest moments. We will miss you makhulu, your spirit and your strength live on in each of us and in the lives that you touched with your love, wisdom, strength and the beauty of your soul. Siyauthanda makhulu, you truly were a special woman. We thank you for your sacrifices and everything you have done for us.”

Mama Gcina lost her three sons in the struggle while they were serving as soldiers of uMkhonto weSizwe while her daughter died of natural causes.

Eastern Cape ANC Chairperson, Oscar Mabuyane, says Mama Gcina was the epitome of selflessness and sacrifice.
He called the current ANC members to emulate these values.

“We are looking at someone who actually is a special kind, is a member that we want to see in the African National Congress. A person of integrity, a person of discipline, a very dedicated member, a very committed member of the African National Congress. We should all emulate this generation, it’s a generation that knew very well that it’s not about them, but it’s about the future of this country.”

Minister of Defence and Military Veterans Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula praised Mama Gcina as an unsung heroine and stalwart of the freedom struggle.

She says there are many heavy hearts bidding farewell to somebody who sacrificed her whole life to the struggle.

“She was forever at the forefront as she fought against the heinous apartheid policy of the national party. She was never deterred by the brutality of the security forces of the racist regime. She never wilted, even when more stringent security regulations were enacted by the regime in the dark days of apartheid.”

Mama Gcina leaves behind her two siblings and her six grandchildren.

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