Sonjica, at the memorial service for the late Minister Sigcau
11 May 2006
Honourable Deputy Minister, Ntopile Kganyago,
Acting Director-General, Sean Phillips,
Representatives of the Qawukeni Royal House,
Members of the Sigcau family,
Representatives of the religious community,
Stakeholdersâ representatives,
Distinguished guests,
Ladies and gentlemen,
Although we are gathered here to mourn the death of our beloved mother,
sister, friend, colleague and an icon of women empowerment; it is also fitting
that we celebrate the life that the late Stella Sigcau lived.
The life during which she managed to touch different people in different
ways, both personally and in the workplace. She was a parent, a politician, a
devoted leader and a real peopleâs person.
Born on 14 January 1937 in Lusikisiki in the Eastern Cape, Stella Nomzamo
Sigcau was a Princess of the Qawukeni Royal House and the daughter of Botha
Sigcau the former State President of Transkei and King of the Pondos. She was
married to the late Ronald Tshabalala in 1962 and they were blessed with three
children, one of whom died under tragic circumstances.
Minister Stella Sigcau obtained a Teacherâs Diploma from the Lovedale
Institute and a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Fort Hare University in 1954 and
1959 respectively. She taught at a number of schools in KwaZulu-Natal between
1960 and 1968 before entering politics during the 1968 elections in Transkei
when she campaigned for and won the Lusikisiki seat.
Prior to the granting of independence to Transkei, Minister Stella Sigcau
held the portfolios of Public Works, Education and Interior and after the
homesteadâs independence she became the Minister of Interior Affairs. In the
80âs she became leader of the Transkei National Independence Party which she
later dissolved in 1990. In the same year Minister Sigcau became the third
Prime Minister of Transkei, a seat she occupied only for three months before
being ousted by the military.
A rare visionary and leader of her people, Minister Sigcau devoted close to
40 years of her working life to the service of South Africa. After the
countryâs first democratic elections in 1994, under the leadership of former
President Nelson Mandela, Ms Sigcau was appointed Minister of Public
Enterprises. In 1999 she became the Minister of Public Works and was in her
second five year term in charge of that portfolio when she passed away last
Sunday.
In her role both as Minister of Public Enterprises and Public Works,
Minister Sigcau made a significant contribution in advancing Government's
Reconstruction and Development Programme (GRDP), Black Economic Empowerment
(BEE) and the upliftment of women and rural communities.
Minister Sigcau also administered the establishment of the Construction
Industry Development Board, the Council for the Built Environment as well as
the Construction and Property Charters which would all allow for a smooth
running and transformed construction and property industries. As the head of
the Department of Public Works, she also managed to transform the Department
and the Ministry and made great strides in enhancing the construction and
property sectors.
It is sad that South Africa has lost yet another strong woman and during
these trying times we say to the Sigcau family and friends, we share your sense
of loss and thus express our heartfelt condolences.
Let us join hands and draw strength and courage from each other, remembering
that together we can help each other get through this difficult time. Our
prayers are with you.
Our beloved mother, sister, friend and colleague will always be remembered;
may her soul rest in peace.
I thank you
Issued by: Department of Water Affairs and Forestry
11 May 2006
