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- Seasoned ANC MP Pumza Dyantyi has died.
- Dyantyi started off as a nurse and became a medical doctor before finally becoming an MP.
- She has also been a mayor and a health MEC in a long career that included a period as an uMkhonto we Sizwe soldier.
ANC MP Pumza Dyantyi has died after a brief period in hospital.
The ANC caucus in Parliament said on Monday: "Her departure is a great loss to the ANC parliamentary caucus at a time when our nation faces many challenges requiring her expertise, resilience and tenacity, as well as experience in the movement," ANC chief whip Pemmy Majodina said.
"Dyantyi departs at a time when we see a resurgence in both the Aids and Covid-19 pandemics. In her honour as the ANC parliamentary caucus, we will pick up her fallen spear and redouble our efforts, with the same vigour and commitment that she demonstrated in the fight against HIV and Aids," Majodina added.
"Our thoughts and prayers are with Dr Dyantyi's family during this difficult period in their lives."
Dyantyi began her career in the medical field as a nurse, and progressed to midwifery before going on to become a doctor.
She was also a health MEC in the Eastern Cape and a mayor of Umbashe.
She hailed from Ngcobo and according to her parliamentary biography, she started training as a nurse at the then Baragwanath Hospital in the late 1960s and became involved in politics.
She went into exile in 1978 and did military training in Benguela and Quibashe in Angola. She then moved on to medical school in Cuba for a degree in medicine.
She headed the health desk for the ANC in Zimbabwe and has also served on the ANC Women's League.
Her death comes after that of DA MP Belinda Bozzoli who died on Saturday morning after a battle with cancer.
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