Former Labour Minister Membathisi Mdladlana has passed away at the age of 72. The news of his passing was confirmed to the media by his family. Mdladlana was appointed Labour Minister by President Nelson Mandela in 1998 and held the position until 2009. He also served as South African High Commissioner to Canada and Burundi.
Meanwhile, President Cyril Ramaphosa says he’s saddened by Mdladlana’s passing, and offers his condolences to his family and friends, adding that is a loss to the nation as well.
“He provided leadership in this strategic sector of our struggle at a time of great repression by the state and growing resistance by the people.
“In the year in which we are marking 30 years of freedom and democracy, Shepherd Mdladlana’s passing and that of other leaders takes us back in time to the sacrifices and struggles of our past, the hope with which we embarked on building a new society and the hard work it has taken since then to secure the gains we have made. Shepherd Mdladlana will live on in our hearts and our history.
“May his soul rest in peace,” said Ramaphosa.
