Manto Tshabalala-Msimang’s family and close friends on Thursday paid tribute to the former Health minister, describing her as a strong woman who gave her life to the country.
She died on Wednesday afternoon after battling liver disease.
Ekurhuleni Metro Police Chief Hlula Msimang said although his aunt’s last days were difficult she continued to be optimistic.
“It was not easy on her; I think she was strong and put up a good fight but in the end she lost the battle,” said Msimang.
Msimang and scores of his relatives and friends gathered at the former Health minister’s home on Wednesday night to pay their respects and to comfort each other.
Tshabalala-Msimang’s close friend Bondi Dlomo said the politician gave her life to the struggle for freedom.
When Tshabalala-Msimang left the country in 1961 she studied at a University in Tanzania and then later in Russia, where she obtained her medical degree.
Dlomo said while in Tanzania, Tshabalala-Msimang also joined the military wing of the African National Congress, Umkhonto we Sizwe.
“People have been very unkind, she has given all her life to the struggle."
Dlomo said her close friend was instrumental in setting up medical facilities at ANC camps all over Africa.
She said the ANC veteran also played a pivotal role in setting up the Natal Women Resource Centre, which is dedicated to helping women affected by political conflicts between the ANC and IFP in KwaZulu-Natal.
TIME IN EXILE
ANC cadres who spent time with Tshabalala-Msimang in MK military camps on the continent in the 1970s, described her as a champion of medicine in Africa.
The former Health minister was one of several cadres sent into exile for education.
The cadres said their fondest memories of Tshabalala-Msimang were of a young doctor who nursed them back to health in the military camps.
Former parliamentary health committee chairperson James Ngculu said she had helped so many cadres in Angola in 1977.
“People were ravaged by a lot of tropical diseases. Many of us who are alive today, owe our lives to Dr. Manto,” said Ngculu.
He added she always took the humiliation she faced it in her strides.
Despite much criticism during her 10 years as health minister, MPs on Wednesday preferred to remember the former minister’s best traits.