African National Congress (ANC) Gauteng provincial treasurer Parks Tau on Friday said this is a time to pick up the spear and continue with the struggle for socioeconomic development and the emancipation of those who are historically disadvantaged and the transformation of the country.

He was speaking during the memorial service of former Johannesburg mayor Mpho Moerane who was hailed as a selfless leader who loved working tirelessly for the ANC.

Moerane was in the running to become the ANC Johannesburg chairperson.

Tau said it was difficult for the ANC to lose members who were dedicated to ensuring that the lives of the people of Johannesburg were changed for the better.

“He leaves us at a time when our movement is undergoing a process of renewal and a process of renewing itself and inculcating a culture of activism in our movement that will enable the continued contribution towards the agenda of socioeconomic transformation in our country,” said Tau.

Moerane was involved in a car accident while he was on his way home from a meeting in Alexandra two week ago. 

The former mayor who, was hailed as a dedicated cadre of the ANC, died on Wednesday at Milpark Hospital, where he was admitted.

The province has lost three mayors in less than a year.

Moerane will be laid to rest on Sunday.

The City of Joburg has unanimously voted in favour of giving the late former mayor a civic funeral in honour of his service to the city.