Songezo Mjongile ANC

Image via: Songezo Mjongile / Facebook

Songezo Mjongile: ANC saddened by death of former provincial secretary

Former ANC Provincial Secretary Songezo Mjongile passed on peacefully on Thursday evening at his family home in Morningside, Johannesburg.

Songezo Mjongile ANC

Image via: Songezo Mjongile / Facebook

Former African National Congress (ANC) Provincial Secretary in the Western Cape Songezo Mjongile passed away in the evening of Thursday 17 September in his family home in Morningside, Johannesburg surrounded by his wife and loved ones. 

The ANC released a statement on Friday, expressing its sadness at the untimely death of Mjongile who was also affectionately known by his clan name; “Madiba”. 

ANC SADDENED BY DEATH OF SONGEZO ‘MADIBA’ MJONGILE

The ruling party said that around 29 August 2020, it learnt that Mjongile had been diagnosed with Colon Cancer in April 2020. 

“Amongst his last wishes, was to contribute to the renewal of the ANC and the success of the National Democratic Revolution (NDR),” it said. 

“This was a reflection of the Comrade Songezo had to the ANC, the Mass Democratic Movement (MDM) structures and to the broader society of South Africa,” it added. 

BECOMING AN ACTIVIST 

Mjongile, from an early age, joined the masses in the struggle against the oppressive apartheid regime. According to the ANC, he became an activist in the Congress of South African Students (COSAS) and was later elected as its president. 

“He continued his life of activism in the ranks of the African National Congress Youth League (ANCYL) rising through the ranks and elected to the National Executive and National Working Committees of the ANCYL,” it said. 

Mjongile, through his selfless and dedicated activism, went on to be elected as the Provincial Treasurer and later the Provincial Secretary of the African National Congress in the Western Cape.  

TRIBUTES POUR IN 

Since the news of Mjongile’s death, #RIPSongezoMjongile has been number one on the Twitter trends list. Many politicians have also taken to social media expressing their sadness. 

KwaZulu-Natal Premier Sihle Zikalala said: “Farewell Songz. You have made your mark in this world.” 

Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) member Mbuyiseni Ndlozi said: “This is heart-breaking”. 

According to Mjongile’s Facebook page, he made his condition public at the end of August. 

“To all my friends and comrades I discovered in April that I suffer from Colon Cancer. Chemotherapy treatment didn’t work, instead side effects have led to two incidents of kidney failure and mild heart attack. I survived with the grace of god. I am leaving my second lease of life and pray to god to give me power to raise my children and family. My last wish for all my sins. I wanna contribute to [the] renewal of the ANC and success of the NDR.”