8 May 2006
North West MEC for Public Works, honourable Howard Yawa today Monday, 8 May
2006, conveyed a message of condolence to the Sigcau family and the Qawukeni
Royal House on the occasion of the passing away of Minister of Public Works, Ms
Stella Nomzamo Sigcau.
Minister Sigcau passed away on Sunday night, 7 May 2006, at the St Augustine
Hospital in Durban where she had been admitted two weeks ago into the
hospital's Intensive Care Unit (ICU) following cardiac and kidney related
complications.
Minister Sigcau devoted close to 40 years of her working life to the service
of the people of South Africa. In 1994 she was appointed Minister of Public
Enterprise under former President Nelson Mandela. In 1999 she became the
Minister of Public Works and was into her second term of the portfolio
committee when she passed away at the age of 69.
MEC Yawa's message of condolence reads as follows: âIt is with great sadness
that we received the news of the passing away of Minister Stella Sigcau,
Princess of the Qawukeni Royal House. Please accept our sincere condolences on
behalf of the North West Department of Public Works and provincial stakeholders
in the construction sector and be assured of our prayers at this time of great
sorrow."
"Although Minister Sigcau struggled with poor health in recent years,
everybody believed that she was on her way to recovery. Her death comes as a
shock to all of us. She fought against her illness with bravery and good
humour. Women and rural communities have lost in her a champion for unity,
development and democracy."
"We trust that that you will, in mourning the death of this selfless
community worker, a courageous and remarkable servant of the people also be
able to celebrate her life, her achievements, commitment and dedication to
serve the government and people of South Africa. May her children, your family
and the Qawukeni Royal House receive solace during this period of grief."
Contact:
Lesiba Moses Kgwele
Departmental Spokesperson
Tel: (018) 387 2447
Cell: 083 629 1987
Issued by: Department of Public Works, North West Provincial
Government
8 May 2006
