Prof Hlengiwe Mkhize: ‘She was fit for purpose,’ Ramaphosa says

The late Deputy Minister Hlengiwe Mkhize has now left a void within the African National Congress (ANC), President Cyril Ramaphosa has said.

Ramaphosa had nothing but praise for Mkhize, who was laid to rest on Saturday, 25 September 2021. Like many others, the president hailed her for her work ethic, describing Mkhize as a dedicated and consummate professional.

He delivered the official eulogy at her send-off.

Mkhize, who was Deputy Minister in the Presidency for Women, Youth and People with Disabilities, died at the age of 69 from lung cancer.

“I regard her as a woman for all seasons. She was fit for purpose in whatever role she was assigned to. We knew that whatever portfolio she was assigned to, she would throw herself fully into it and take it upon herself to become fully acquainted with the sector,” Ramaphosa said.

He further acknowledged that Mkhize leaves them during a critical time as the party is on the campaign trail ahead of the local government elections, which are set to take place on 1 November 2021.

“I will miss running into her in the various corridors where she’d pull me aside for quick chats which were concise and to the point. When she spoke of problems, she also told me how she was resolving them. I was truly lucky to have had her as a member of my team,”

Hlengiwe Mkhize’s children pay tribute

Deputy Minister Hlengiwe Mkhize’s daughter spoke of how her mother was diagnosed with lung cancer not long after then president Jacob Zuma appointed her Home Affairs Minister in 2017.

“Ever the dedicated and servant leader, mom had asked us to represent her at the doctor’s offices. My dad and l stood in the parking lot in shock, thinking, what now?,” Dr Zinzi Mkhize said.

“Numerous blood tests, scans and radiation, a Covid-19 diagnosis, which included an admission in July 2020. A day or two after being discharged and being sent home with oxygen she went to help the (Andrew) Mlangeni family in preparation for his funeral,”

Dr Zinzi Mkhize