NUMSA MOURNS PASSING OF EPAINETTE MBEKI
The National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (Numsa) mourns the sad passing of Epainette Mbeki and sends its heartfelt condolences to the Mbeki family and community of Ngcingwana, Idutywa, Eastern Cape.
The 348 375 strong Metalworker's salute Mme Mbeki and her generation for their courageous role in the liberation struggle and fight for emancipation of women. Mme Mbeki's sad departure from the land of the living has robbed South Africa and the working class formations, one of its finest Mother, a principled Cadre, revolutionary Communist and community activist whose tongue was as sharp as her agile mind.
We are grateful to her, for surrendering her whole family, particularly her husband Oom Govan Mbeki and his three children - the late Jama; Thabo and Moeletsi to the struggle for the liberation of our people. We shed our tears and bow our heads in shame that Mme Mbeki passes at a time, when our country has become one of the most unequal societies on earth; has the highest number of violent service delivery protests - as compared to Brazil and Spain; our people, especially the poor continue to suffer apartheid-style evictions or removals; and repressive organs of the State - the police are allowed or unleashed to use brutal force to silent popular dissent.
Mme Mbeki will be best remembered for her fierce criticism and openness on the many deliberate mistakes and political blunders that have been committed by the fading ANC, whereas its elected leadership continue to be in denial that the National Democratic Revolution (NDR) is off-the-rails, accompanied by the ideological fog that continues to be spread that our country is a better country to live since 1994. Whilst in reality the conditions of our people have worsened, as a result of the neoliberal policies and accumulation regime that has been fostered and entrenched over the past 20 years of our democratic breakthrough.
In her memory and honour we will continue to fight for the full implementation of the Freedom Charter, as encapsulated in the NDR.
Hamba Kahle Mme Epainette Mbeki
Statement issued by Castro Ngobese, NUMSA national spokesperson, June 9 2014
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