President Cyril Ramaphosa has declared a special official funeral Category 2 for the late struggle stalwart and ANC Deputy Secretary General, Yasmin “Jessie” Duarte

Yasmin “Jessie” Duarte, a late ANC deputy secretary general and a stalwart of the struggle, will be honoured with a special official funeral under Category 2 according to President Cyril Ramaphosa.

Duarte, a devoted gender activist and key figure in South Africa’s war for independence, died early on Sunday after an 8-month battle with cancer. She was 68 years old.

According to a statement released by the Presidency on Sunday, “President Ramaphosa wishes to pass on his condolences to the family, friends, and comrades of Ambassador Duarte, who dedicated her life to the liberation of South Africa and notably the emancipation of women.”

According to the Presidency, Ambassador Duarte was a steadfast member of the anti-apartheid movement who worked as Special Assistant to both Walter Sisulu and former President Nelson Mandela.

She was chosen to serve as a Member of the Executive Council (MEC) for Safety and Security in the Gauteng Provincial Government in 1994.

She represented South Africa as its ambassador to the Republic of Mozambique from 1999 until 2003.

Ambassador Duarte was elected to the position of Deputy Secretary General of the ruling African National Congress (ANC) in 2012 and had been a member of the ANC’s National Executive Committee since 1997 when she tragically passed away.

The eulogy at the burial in Johannesburg this afternoon will be given by President Ramaphosa.