Late ANCWL Deputy President hailed as a selfless member

The late Deputy President of the African National Congress Women’s League (ANCYL) Lungi Mnganga Gcabashe has been hailed as a selfless member of the ANC who played a fundamental role during the dark days of political violence.

Women’s League President Sisisi Tolashe has addressed a memorial at the Durban Playhouse.

The 64-year-old Mnganga-Gcabashe passed away at her home in Westvile, Durban last weekend.

She also served as the provincial chairperson of the Women’s League and chairperson of the portfolio committee on Public Enterprises, and most recently as Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Tourism.

Tolashe says her death has left a huge void in the alliance.

“She played her role during the dark days, especially in KZN, when our people were maimed and killed. She stood fast to defend the ANC and made sure that she mobilised the people into the ANC. She was a member of the ANC that was very brave. She was never threatened by anything even though there were a lot of threats at the time. She soldiered on when she was a Member of Parliament and again she left Parliament and came back. She has always been in the mass of democratic movement,” explains Tolashe.

Tolashe has encouraged other leaders to take a leaf from the life of the Mnganga-Gcabashe by defending the movement.

“Comrade Lungi taught us that you must defend what you believe in. We are saying this because when she was active in the United Democratic Front structures – when she became member of the ANC after the unbanning – she fought tirelessly to make sure that a democratic government emerge. When comrade Lungi was in difficulties … not deployed, she stood and worked hard for the ANC,” adds Tolashe.