The Durban International Convention Centre was filled with a sea of black, green, and gold as thousands of African National Congress (ANC) Women’s League members gathered to bid farewell to their deputy president, Lungi Mnganga-Gcabashe. Decked in the party’s vibrant colours, mourners filled the arena, where speaker after speaker honoured Mnganga-Gcabashe’s legacy of quiet humility, unwavering bravery, and lifelong selflessness. Emotional scenes unfolded throughout the service, a testament to the profound impact of the 64-year-old leader, who passed away last weekend after a brief illness. As the voices of the Women’s Anthem rose, the lyrics resonated deeply – a fitting tribute to a woman who devoted her life to fighting for equality and uplifting women across South Africa. The Women’s League president Sisisi Tolashe, as well as Mnganga-Gcabashe’s family members, could not hold back tears at various stages of the service. [IN PICTURES] ANC Women’s League President, Comrade Sisisi Tolashe pays tribute to her counterpart, Comrade Lungi Mnganga-Gcabashe. She remembers her Deputy President as a complete human being who stood firmly on what needed to be done. #RIPLungiMngangaGcabashe… pic.twitter.com/hnBBT7o3yE — ANC – African National Congress (@MYANC) May 24, 2025 Tolashe and Mnganga-Gcabashe’s daughter, Sphelele, shed tears during the funeral. Someone read her tribute to her mother on her behalf. Sphelele says she remembers a mother who was not only an activist and politician, but her best friend. “Your elegance, wisdom, fire, and love all wrapped up in love, stylish, funny, sharp, deeply loving, and proud of everything you stood for. Your legacy will forever be my motivation and I will strive to make you proud every day. I love you dearly and I miss you more than words can express.” ANC president Cyril Ramaphosa says the passing of Mnganga-Gcabashe comes at a time in the country when her skills of quiet bravery, selflessness and that of a unifier are most needed. Ramaphosa made reference to the recent resurgence of racial tensions in the country, as well as the scourge of gender-based violence. President Ramaphosa honours Mnganga-Gcabashe as ‘Woman of integrity’ ‘Double blow’ Ramaphosa says it was a double blow to also lose the 99-year-old Gertrude Shope – former Women’s League president – a few days after Mnganga-Gcabashe. “There is a pole that stands in the middle of an African hut. It is a pillar, it is called insika, African women are the insikas of our nation. The isnikas of our families, nation, and communities. They are like that because they keep everything intact. They keep everything together, strong, balanced and proportional.” Ramaphosa also says Mnganga-Gcabashe was appalled at the pandemic of gender based violence. “We must recognise, as she did, that this is not a struggle not to be waged by women alone. It’s a struggle that men must also pursue with as much vigor and purpose and resolve as the women of our country, but perhaps to an even greater extent than the women, because it is us, men, who are the perpetrators, and it is us, men, who must mobilise amongst our own.” Mnganga-Gcabashe started her working life as a social worker at KwaMashu, north of Durban. She joined the United Democratic Front at the age of 19 when the ANC was still banned. Speakers have pointed out that she worked her way up through the ranks from an organiser to a member of parliament, without any ambition for herself. A neighbour, Sthembiso Mshengu, says many people in the street never knew that Mnagnga-Gcabashe was an MP. “She would not carry herself as such an important person just because she is a Member of Parliament or deputy president of the ANC Women’s League, but she would behave just like any other ordinary neighbour here. In that regard, we send our deepest condolences, but for me, I had a very close relationship with her.” Funeral Service of ANCWL deputy president, Lungile Mnganga-Gcabashe