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The Congress of South African Trade Unions has learned with shock and disbelief about the untimely demise of Comrade Grizelda Cjiekella-Lecholo who succumbed to death after a short illness.

Her untimely passing is a massive blow to the ANC led alliance and the entire populace of the Northern Cape as she was amongst the few comrades with extraordinary energy and passion to serve the people of the Northern Cape.

Comrade Zaza excelled in all her areas of deployment starting from the time she was the Provincial Secretary of the ANC women’s League to the time she departed from this world. She rose through the ranks of the ANC and has proven through the years that she is a fine jewel of the Northern Cape who was destined for greater heights.

When she took over the Northern Cape Department of Education in April 2009 as the MEC, that department was on a one way path to destruction.

All systems were in tatters and there was no sense of vision and direction. The department moved from one disclaimer to another with nobody held to account.

Today, the Northern Cape Department of Education is counted amongst the best performing departments with a clean audit, thanks to the commitment and dedication of Comrade Zaza and her management team.

She was one of the few comrades who had an ear for criticism and took it positively. She loved her job as much as she loved her family and would not exchange it for anything. She was an activist both in government and in the ANC and was full of innovative ideas.

Death has indeed robbed us of an all round cadre of our movement who would do anything to defend our glorious movement. She spent her entire life in the service of humanity. We dip our red banner in honour of this true daughter of the revolution and cherish all the fond memories we have of her.

Our deepest and sincere condolences go to the Cjiekella and Lechollo families, her loving husband and her precious son. Her selflessness, dedication and commitment to our revolutionary movement will always be missed.

May her dear soul rest in eternal peace.

Issued by COSATU Northern Cape