Joyce Mashamba passed away

Happy Joyce Mashamba passed away at the age of 67 after battling with a long illness, the details of which have not yet been disclosed to the public. [i] Born on 25 September 1950 in Mulamula, Limpopo, Mashamba was described as an “accomplished political commissar and an educator” that made personal sacrifices for the liberation struggle. [ii] She served under the African National Congress, ANC’s Women’s League and the South African Communist Party. [iii] Mashamba was one of the longest serving MEC’s and at the time of her death had been the Limpopo MEC for Agriculture and Rural Development. The other portfolios she held ranged from education, sport, arts and culture, safety, security and liaison and social development. [iv] Mashamba was married to Tintswalo Godwin George Mashamba, who had been a political prisoner for 10 years on Robben Island. [v] They have four children – Nyiko, Wisani, Tiyani and Bongani – and seven grandchildren. Mashamba was given an official state provincial funeral on 30 June 2018 at Mudavula stadium in Limpopo. [vi] ↵ Endnotes [i] Rudzani Tshivhase, “Joyce Mashamba to be laid to lest”, SABC News, 30 June 2018, accessed 15 July 2018. http://www.sabcnews.com/sabcnews/joyce-mashamba-to-be-laid-to-lest/. ↵ [ii] “Tribute to the late comrade Happy Joyce Mashamba”, ANC Today, 29 June 2018, accessed 15 July 2018, http://anctoday.org.za/oratory-memorial-service-late-comrade-happy-joyce-mashamba/ ↵ [iii] Ibid ↵ [iv] Ibid ↵ [v] Rudzani Tshivhase, “Joyce Mashamba to be laid to lest”, SABC News, 30 June 2018, accessed 15 July 2018. http://www.sabcnews.com/sabcnews/joyce-mashamba-to-be-laid-to-lest/. ↵ [vi] “Limpopo on provincial official funeral of MEC Joyce Mashamba”, South African Government, 25 June 2018, accessed 15 July 2018, https://www.gov.za/speeches/provincial-official-funeral-mec-joyce-mashamba-%C2%A0-%C2%A0-%C2%A0-%C2%A0-25-jun-2018-0000. ↵