Parliament of South Africa
Parliament of South Africa
10/19/2024 | Press release | Archived content
Parliament Pays Tribute to Late Anti-apartheid Stalwart Mr Membathisi Mdladlana
Parliament, Saturday, 19 October 2024 - The Presiding Officers of Parliament, led by National Assembly Speaker Ms Thoko Didiza and National Council of Provinces Chairperson Ms Refilwe Mtshweni-Tsipane, express their profound sadness at the passing of Mr Membathisi Mdladlana, a distinguished former Minister of Labour and long-serving Member of Parliament.
Mr. Mdladlana was a stalwart of South Africa's democratic transformation whose legacy of service and commitment will forever be remembered. As one of the pioneering members of the first post-apartheid Parliament, he played an instrumental role in navigating the country through the complexities of its early democratic journey. His significant contributions to the drafting of the Bill of Rights are a lasting testament to his dedication to safeguarding the fundamental freedoms of all South Africans.
Throughout his exceptional career, Mr Mdladlana held several key positions, each marked by his leadership and unwavering resolve to serve the nation: Chairperson of the Constitutional Assembly Committee (Theme Committee Four); Member of the Home Affairs Portfolio Committee; Whip of the Parliamentary Programming Committee; Deputy Chairperson of the Parliamentary Scout Union of South Africa; Minister of Labour (1998-2009); Ambassador to Burundi and High Commissioner to Canada.
Mr Mdladlana's commitment extended far beyond his political and diplomatic roles. He was a tireless advocate for education and the rights of educators. As co-founder and the first President of the South African Democratic Teachers Union (SADTU), he was instrumental in championing the professionalisation of the teaching profession and advancing the rights of educators. His leadership in the education sector strengthened the public education system and underscored his belief in education as the bedrock for a more just and prosperous society.
Said the Presiding Officers: "South Africa has lost a political giant and a trailblazer in our democratic education system. Mr. Mdladlana's contribution is enshrined in the foundation of our democracy and the national education framework. His relentless pursuit of equality, his passion for justice, and his unwavering commitment to empowering future generations through education remain an enduring source of inspiration."
Parliament extends its heartfelt condolences to the Mdladlana family, his comrades in the African National Congress, and all those whose lives he touched. As we mourn the passing of one of our own, we commit to carrying forward his legacy by continuing to build a South Africa rooted in equality, dignity, and opportunity for all.
May his soul rest in eternal peace.
ISSUED BY THE PARLIAMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA
Enquiries: Moloto Mothapo
Mr. Mdladlana was a stalwart of South Africa's democratic transformation whose legacy of service and commitment will forever be remembered. As one of the pioneering members of the first post-apartheid Parliament, he played an instrumental role in navigating the country through the complexities of its early democratic journey. His significant contributions to the drafting of the Bill of Rights are a lasting testament to his dedication to safeguarding the fundamental freedoms of all South Africans.
Throughout his exceptional career, Mr Mdladlana held several key positions, each marked by his leadership and unwavering resolve to serve the nation: Chairperson of the Constitutional Assembly Committee (Theme Committee Four); Member of the Home Affairs Portfolio Committee; Whip of the Parliamentary Programming Committee; Deputy Chairperson of the Parliamentary Scout Union of South Africa; Minister of Labour (1998-2009); Ambassador to Burundi and High Commissioner to Canada.
Mr Mdladlana's commitment extended far beyond his political and diplomatic roles. He was a tireless advocate for education and the rights of educators. As co-founder and the first President of the South African Democratic Teachers Union (SADTU), he was instrumental in championing the professionalisation of the teaching profession and advancing the rights of educators. His leadership in the education sector strengthened the public education system and underscored his belief in education as the bedrock for a more just and prosperous society.
Said the Presiding Officers: "South Africa has lost a political giant and a trailblazer in our democratic education system. Mr. Mdladlana's contribution is enshrined in the foundation of our democracy and the national education framework. His relentless pursuit of equality, his passion for justice, and his unwavering commitment to empowering future generations through education remain an enduring source of inspiration."
Parliament extends its heartfelt condolences to the Mdladlana family, his comrades in the African National Congress, and all those whose lives he touched. As we mourn the passing of one of our own, we commit to carrying forward his legacy by continuing to build a South Africa rooted in equality, dignity, and opportunity for all.
May his soul rest in eternal peace.
ISSUED BY THE PARLIAMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA
Enquiries: Moloto Mothapo