Socio-economic rights activist Irene Grootboom, best known for her legal battle to secure better housing for the poor, has died in a shack in the Wallacedene informal settlement, in Cape Town.

"Understanding that Irene died while waiting for a decent house is sad and also illustrate the challenges that we face to ensure that all have 'houses, security and comfort' as we promised in the Freedom Charter we drafted 53 years ago," African National Congress (ANC) Western Cape secretary Mcebisi Skwatsha said on Tuesday.

"The ANC extends its heartfelt condolences to Grootboom's partner, Peter Roman, her family and the community who Grootboom served."

Grootboom, believed to have been in her 40s when she died on Monday after a short illness, was best known for leading a challenge to the Constitutional Court against the her eviction and that of 900 others from privately-owned land in Wallacedene.

The so-called Grootboom judgment, hailed by Justice Richard
Goldstone as "the first building block in creating jurisprudence of socio-economical rights", forced the government to develop a programme to realise the right of access to adequate housing.

"Irene was a genuine leader of her people, a true hero of the working class, a symbol of hope to the poor, homeless and marginalised and her spirit, her courage and commitment to the creation of a society in which all enjoy a better life, will be sorely missed," said Skwatsha.