Prominent South African activist Yasmin Jessie Duarte dies at 68

By Hassan Isilow

JOHANNESBURG (AA) - A prominent South African political figure and former anti-apartheid activist, Yasmin Jessie Duarte, has died at the age of 68, the ruling African National Congress (ANC) party announced on Sunday.

In a statement, the ANC said it learned of the passing of its deputy secretary general during the early hours of Sunday.

“The passing of Comrade Jessie is a great loss, not only to the family but to the democratic movement and the country as a whole,” said the ANC which has been governing South Africa since 1994.

Duarte had been undergoing cancer treatment and was on medical leave since November last year.

The ANC described Duarte as a committed internationalist and former diplomat, who dedicated her entire life to the struggle for a united, non-racial, non-sexist, democratic, prosperous, and just South Africa.

The anti-apartheid activist also served as a former personal assistant to late President Nelson Mandela from 1990-1994 after he was released from prison.

Mandela, who became South Africa’s first Black democratically-elected president, served 27 years in prison for opposing white minority rule.

“Her life and work reflected a consistent commitment to advancing the rights of the poor and marginalized,” the party said.

Speaking to Anadolu Agency at the funeral, Iqbal Jassat of the Media Review Network, a Johannesburg-based think tank, described Duarte as a distinguished revolutionary from a family of freedom fighters.

“The Dangors (Duarte’s family name) have and continue to sacrifice selflessly to advance the rights of the poor and marginalized,” he said.

Jassat added that the late activist will be remembered for championing the cause of Palestine, Western Sahara, and all oppressed people around the world.

She was laid to rest on Sunday afternoon in Johannesburg according to Muslim rites.