UCDP President was courageous and fearless says NW Premier Thandi Modise

North West Premier, Mme Thandi Modise described the late President of the United Christian Democratic Party (UCDP) Mavis Matladi buried on Friday in Mosweu village outside Zeerust as a courageous and fearless fighter who believed in the equality of women.

Premier Thandi Modise said that Matladi had defied cynicism, distorted tradition, male chauvinism and dictatorial tendencies to rise to her position and carried the hope of her constituency and party with dignity and elegance.

In her tribute delivered to hundreds of mourners at the funeral service held at Lehurutshe Civic Centre, Premier Modise concurred with President Jacob Zuma that the passing of Matladi is a great loss to all South Africans, particularly given the contribution she made to the work of her political party and the work of Parliament.

“Her untimely death has indeed robbed all of us of a mother, a sister, an intelligent and charismatic leader whose courage, passion and dedication we were only beginning to experience, understand and admire. She sought to make a difference in whatever she did and defied all odds that were stacked against her. She has left an indelible mark in the sand of time,” she said.

The Premier said that it was in recognition of her exceptional leadership qualities and commitment to uplift other women that women parliamentarians from across the political divide nominated her to represent the South African Parliament in the Pan African Parliament and later lobbied for her to be elected as President of the Pan African Parliament Women’s Caucus.

Modise said that it was therefore not a surprise to those of us who believed in her when she was elected as the first woman president in her own party, the UCDP.

She said that in her memory there is a need to unite against the demon of tribalism, the triple evils of crime, greed and corruption that threaten to erode our hard won freedoms and intensify our efforts towards reconciliation and nation building.

Message of condolence from Speaker of National Assembly, Max Sisulu said that Matladi will be sadly missed by her colleagues in Parliament, the party she ably represented, and the country she served with commitment and diligence. Parliament and the country feel robbed of the many contributions she was expected to make as a Member of Parliament.

Chairperson of Standing Committee on Public Accounts (Scopa) in the National Assembly, Themba Godi described Matladi as a hardworking and persistent elected public representative while UCDP Deputy President, Sipho Mfundisi said that we can pay her no better tribute than to learn from the life and to rediscover and remain true to those values that guided her life.

Enquiries:
Lesiba Moses Kgwele
Tel: 018 391 0420
Cell: 083 629 1987
Fax: 018 381 0328
E-mail:LKgwele@nwpg.gov.za