President Jacob Zuma wishes to convey his deepest condolences to the family, friends and comrades of Ms Amina Cachalia, a struggle stalwart and long-time friend of former President Nelson Mandela, who passed on today in Johannesburg. She was 82 years old.

A seasoned campaigner for women’s rights and one of the Liberation Movement’s foremost stalwarts, Amina came from a fiercely political family and dedicated her life full-on to the emancipation of all oppressed people in South Africa. Her political activism saw her in leading roles as a member of the Transvaal Indian Youth Congress and Transvaal Indian Congress, treasurer of FEDSAW, patron of the Federation of Transvaal Women, among others.

She had several stints in prison such as when she was arrested during the 1952 Defiance Campaign and also participated in the 1956 Women’s March against pass laws, becoming a banned person at various stages. She was a Trustee of the Mandela Children’s Fund, member of the Finance Committee of the National Women’s League, a recipient of the Presidential National Order of Luthuli in recognition of her life spent fighting for freedom and democracy.

“Our country has lost one of the most tireless and consummate fighters for liberation that we have known,” said President Zuma, “and we would like to express our heartfelt condolences to her family, friends, comrades and all who had the privilege of knowing her. May her soul rest in peace.”