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The Parliament of South Africa has learnt with shock, the sad news of the untimely passing-on of Minister of Environmental Affairs Ms Edna Molewa today.
 
The Presiding Officers of Parliament, Speaker of the National Assembly, Ms Baleka Mbete and Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces, Ms Thandi Modise, have run short of words to express their deep sorrow and disbelief at losing such a fine and dedicated servant leader of the people, and one of the longest serving Members of Parliament. The Presiding Officers said Minister Molewa’s passion for sustainable development that is anchored on the full appreciation of the environment as the source of prosperity, growth and human development, permeated every facet of our work as Parliament, national and internationally.
 
Minister Molewa worked with absolute dedication and integrity since becoming a Member of Parliament in 1994. Parliament cherishes her contributions in building South Africa’s young Parliament and all its systems, as she became the first female Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Trade and Industry in 1994.
 
Her passing-on is a tragedy and a great loss to our country, the continent of Africa and the world over, because Minister Molewa leaves us at a critical time when some of the warnings about environmental degradation have come to pass. We trust that on the occasion of passing on, millions more people in this country and across the world would make new pledges to spare no effort in protecting our environment.
 
 
Parliament extends its heartfelt condolences to the family of the Late Minister Molewa.
 
 
May her soul rest in peace.
 
Issued by the Parliament of the Republic of South Africa