South Africa: Parliament Mourns the Passing of Member of Parliament (MP) Hon. Lungi Mnganga-Gcabashe
The Parliament of the Republic of South Africa mourns the passing of Ms Lungi Annette Mnganga-Gcabashe, Member of Parliament and Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Tourism. Her passing on Saturday, 17 May 2025, has left a profound void in the Parliamentary community and the nation.
The Presiding Officers of Parliament, led by the Speaker of the National Assembly, Ms Thoko Didiza, and the Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces, Ms Refilwe Mtshweni-Tsipane, expressed shock at the untimely passing, saying it was a significant loss not only to Parliament but to the democratic project she so passionately served.
Said the Presiding Officers: 'Honourable Mnganga-Gcabashe was the embodiment of dignified public service. She served in Parliament with humility and unwavering dedication. In every committee she led, she was firm yet fair, compassionate yet principled. Her contributions to the oversight work of Parliament were not for personal recognition, but for the betterment of our democracy and the people we serve.'
Ms Mnganga-Gcabashe became a Member of Parliament in 2004 and served with distinction for over two decades. As Chairperson of both the Portfolio Committee on Public Enterprises and, most recently, the Portfolio Committee on Tourism, she played a key role in strengthening Parliamentary oversight and ensuring accountability across government entities.
Ms Mnganga-Gcabashe's unwavering commitment to women's rights was woven into every aspect of her parliamentary work. A lifelong activist for gender equality, she advocated for laws and championed oversight that advanced the empowerment and protection of women. Her leadership ensured that Parliament remained a voice for the voiceless, especially marginalised women, and that transformation was not just a goal, but a lived reality.
The Presiding Officers extend heartfelt condolences to the family, friends, and comrades of Honourable Lungi Mnganga-Gcabashe and to her political home, the African National Congress.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Republic of South Africa: The Parliament.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Zawya
12 hours ago
- Zawya
Chinese Ambassador Zhao Weiping Donates Books to the National Library of Namibia
On June 4th, Ambassador Zhao Weiping, on behalf of the Chinese Embassy in Namibia, donated a batch of books to the National Library of Namibia, including The Governance of China, Up and Out of Poverty and The Road to Ecological Civilization Construction in China. The Ministry of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sports, Arts and Culture of Namibia held a handover ceremony for the donation. Mr. Erastus Haitengela, Executive Director of the Ministry, thanked the Embassy for the contribution and noted that these books enriched the collection of the National Library and will be welcomed by the Namibian readers. In his remarks, Ambassador Zhao said he hopes and believes that these books will help the general public with deeper understanding of China's political philosophy, government policies and rich culture. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Embassy of the People's Republic of China in the Republic of Namibia.
Zawya
15 hours ago
- Zawya
African Union's 50th Permanent Representatives' Committee Session Begins, Setting Stage for Key Continental Priorities
The 50th Ordinary Session of the Permanent Representatives' Committee (PRC) kicked off on 9 June 2025, ahead of the 47th Ordinary Session of the Executive Council and the 7th Mid-Year Coordination Meeting (MYCM) between the African Union, the Regional Economic Communities and the Regional Mechanisms, scheduled to take place on 10- 13 July 2025, in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea. In her opening remarks delivered on behalf of AU Commission Chairperson H.E. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, Deputy Chairperson H.E. Selma Malika Haddadi emphasized the new leadership's dedication to enhancing collaboration with Member States, Regional Economic Communities (RECs), and partners to propel Africa's integration, peace, and development forward. 'Our collective resolve must translate into tangible progress—on financing, integration, and justice. Africa's future depends on it,' stated H.E. Haddadi. Amb. Haddadi underscored the new AUC leadership's key priorities, which include: Enhanced Coordination and Efficiency: The AU Commission (AUC) aims to streamline workflows, align strategic priorities with Agenda 2063, and improve synergies between AU organs. A proposed PRC-AUC retreat later this year aims to foster deeper dialogue on institutional reforms. Financial Sustainability: Amb. Haddadi emphasized the urgent need to address the AU's budgetary constraints, noting that only 17 Member States have implemented the 0.2% import levy (Kigali Decision). She called for collective action to meet the Johannesburg targets and reduce reliance on external funding. Justice and Reparations: The 2025 AU theme, Justice and Reparations for Africans and People of African Descent, was emphasized as a cornerstone for addressing historical injustices and restoring dignity through global advocacy and policy action. Upcoming Engagements: The AUC will actively support high-level meetings, including the Ministerial Meeting on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), the Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD) Summit, to advance continental priorities. The AUC Deputy Chairperson noted that the PRC will discuss key issues, among which are: the Report of the sub-committee on budget that includes the 2026 budget of the Union; Partnerships and the need to develop a strategy for all partnerships; and the Mid-term evaluation of the theme of the year 2025. H.E. Selma Malika Haddadi concluded by reaffirming the AUC's unwavering support for the PRC's work and urged fruitful deliberations ahead of the July Executive Council meeting. On his part, H.E. Amb. Prof. Miguel Bembe, Ambassador of the Republic of Angola to Ethiopia and Permanent Representative to the African Union and Chairperson of the Permanent Representatives' Committee, in his opening speech, emphasized that the Permanent Representatives' Committee represents one of the strong pillars of the African Union and the guardian of political and technical consistency between high-level decision-making and the everyday realities of implementation in our Member States. 'It is our responsibility to ensure that processes are transparent, that methods are effective, and that outcomes reflect the spirit of Agenda 2063, 'The Africa We Want.' Our collective action must be guided by visionary pragmatism—one that addresses the urgencies of the present while courageously projecting solutions for the future,' said H.E. Amb. Prof. Miguel Bembe. The official opening ceremony of the 50th Ordinary Session of the PRC was attended by the Deputy Chairperson of the Commission, the AU Commissioners, and Representatives from AU Organs and AU officials. The ambassadors will deliberate on different reports including: the activities of the PRC Sub-Committees; Reports of the AU Commission; the mid-term activity report of the theme of the year 2025 on Justice and Reparations for Africans and People of African Descent, and other reports from AU Organs and the AU Specialized Agencies, before adopting their report as well as the draft decisions of the 47th Ordinary Session of the Executive Council. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Union (AU).
Zawya
18 hours ago
- Zawya
Nigeria, Japan strengthen food security ties with $110mln JICA facility
In a bid to bolster Nigeria's food security, the Federal Government has strengthened its collaborative initiative with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). This partnership is aimed at supporting the country's food production systems and enhancing resilience amid global supply challenges. The initiative took a significant step forward as the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun and the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, met with senior representatives of JICA to advance the implementation of the Food Security Emergency Loan Support Programme. The JPY 15 billion facility (approximately $110 million) aims to support Nigeria's food production systems and enhance resilience amid ongoing global supply challenges. With the rainy season now underway, both Ministers emphasised the importance of swift, coordinated action to maximise impact for farmers and rural communities. JICA welcomed the government's commitment to delivery and requested formal clarification on proposed implementation adjustments. It was jointly agreed that core production activities would proceed immediately under the existing framework, while additional components, such as aggregation and financing, would be reviewed in line with the original loan agreement. This partnership underscores the commitment of both governments to addressing food security challenges and improving the livelihoods of millions of Nigerians, while also driving economic growth and development in the country. Copyright © 2022 Nigerian Tribune Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
