Hundreds of mourners and government officials gathered in Ga-Mogopa village, North West, to pay their last respect to the late struggle veteran Rita Ndzanga. The late veteran has finally been laid to rest on Saturday.
Ndzanga has been described as a humble servant of the African National Congress (ANC). ANC member Dr Sydney Mufamadi described Ndzanga as a long-standing ANC comrade who has contributed immensely to fight the apartheid regime. He claims the nation has lost the great movement’s pioneer, who paved the path for several generations.
“Rita occupied the structures of the party with pride while the country was in the dark days of the apartheid system. She demonstrated hope when it was not fashionable to do so in the dark days of the country.”
Photos Gallery for late struggle veteran Rita Ndzanga funeral:
Mufamadi adds that Ndzanga introduced a lot of her generation to join the ANC, taking the struggle to greater heights. ”Foot soldiers were groomed in building UDF, and the organisation was rooted among the people, Rita Ndzanga’s history of struggle is evidence as we see the democracy.”
Ndzanga passed away last week at the age of 88.
Mme Rita’s passing is being grieved by the Gauteng government, according to Gauteng Education MEC Panyaza Lesufi. He praises Ndzanga’s ability to lead in the face of apartheid’s cruelty. He says that her life embodied the movement’s progressive nature.
“The body of a powerful woman who opened doors for liberty…We have lost a senior member of the ANC who has sharpened the growth of the ANC.”
Ndzanga was also described as the unionist who defended the workers and politically clear to the people. “Rita carried the movement guiding the people and the party. “It is unfortunate that the young ones won’t benefit from Rita’s presence. She was committed to serving the people and protecting the unity of the party and renewing the movement to be better,” Lesufi adds.
Family member Mosidi Mofokeng defined Ndzanga’s character as a young woman as courageous.
She says Rita’s struggle days paved the way and her strong character made her the woman she is today.
Lawrence Ndzanga Junior adds that her grandmother was instrumental in the past days of apartheid.
“Fighting apartheid regime was her priority and I admired her resilience. Her family came first.”
Nonhlanhla Masuku, on behalf of Rita’s daughter, Nomathamsanqa Ndzanga, told mourners that the late struggle icon provided for everyone – “extending herself to everyone including the nation. Her teachings of humility will stay forever.”
Meanwhile, Premier Kaobitsa Bushy Maape also added that Ndzanga’s name will go down in the history of South Africa as a great leader.
He states that her fighting spirit kept the movement alive, reviving the party, and leading with humility. Rita cared about the life of South African citizens. I urge everyone to contribute and commit to keep her name.”
Maape adds that the poverty crisis in South Africa continues to rise, and government needs to take a stand and do something about the poverty.
Touching on GBV, the Premier noted that the gender violence in the country comes from patriarchy. He says the generation of 1976 needs to take a stand and fight GBV. He urged men to come together and fight the idea of sexism.
Funeral Service of Mme Rita Ndzanga:
