Late South African Anti-Apartheid Activist Eulogized as “face of multi-cultural diversity”

Johannesburg, 20 July, 2022 / 1:46 AM

The Archbishop of Johannesburg Archdiocese has eulogized the late South African anti-apartheid activist, Yasmin Jessie Duarte, as the “face of multi-cultural diversity”.

Ms. Duarte, who once served as Nelson Mandela's assistant, died of cancer on July 17. She was 68.

“Jessie Duarte was the face of the cultural, racial diversity of South Africa," Archbishop Joseph Buti Tlhagale eulogized in a Monday, July 18 tribute shared with ACI Africa. 

Ms. Duarte who was serving as the acting Secretary General of the African National Congress (ANC) represented "what South Africa wishes to become. To become a country of a diversity of cultures and people," Archbishop Tlhagale said.

He added, "She represented it well because she was there for a long time, she had the stamina, she had perseverance to be the face of the other in South Africa”.

The member of the Oblates of Mary Immaculate (OMI) further said that Ms. Duarte was the representative of minority cultural groups that are present in South Africa. 

Ms. Duarte will be missed as she “reminds that South Africa is home to a diversity of cultures and races”, the South African Catholic Archbishop said, adding that if she is “replaced by an African”, South Africa would “therefore be poorer”.

“She was probably the longest serving official of the ANC and therefore much known to the public, she was a different face on the African National Congress of Indian background amongst Africans, and especially among males”, he added.

In his tribute, Archbishop Tlhagale said he admired the late anti-apartheid activist “because she was a leader who represented women; she was there, she was visible, she was present for many years as a leader in the ANC.”

“Her courage to persevere among male colleagues over so many years, it's quite impressive”, he said about the late Deputy Secretary General of ANC who, in 1979, helped set up women’s structures throughout South Africa.

The OMI member who has advocated for women empowerment said the late activist “represented women in a society that continues to discriminate against women, in a society where males seem to dominate in every sector of the public life.”

“She was a challenge to that inequality and wanted to encourage women by her very presence, that women too can be strong leaders who can lead their society, that it is not just a privilege exclusive to men”, he added.

The Local Ordinary of Johannesburg Archdiocese recalled Ms. Duarte’s spirit of perseverance, saying, “She was that kind of person who persevered courageously to be the voice of women, to be a leader, to reflect the kind of society South Africa wants to be.”

“She encouraged men and women to not give up on trying to build a society of equal people. And I think that's her legacy and that is what we need as a nation”, said Archbishop Tlhagale in his July 18 tribute to the late Deputy Secretary General of the oldest black (now multiracial) political party in South Africa that was founded in 1912.

The ANC’s long-serving Deputy Secretary General was laid to rest on Sunday, July 17 in Johannesburg according to Muslim rites. A national memorial service is set to take place on Thursday, July 21.