Late trade deputy minister remembered as champion of empowerment
Former Deputy Minister Elizabeth Thabethe’s untimely passing is a loss to our democracy, says the DTIC minister.
The late former deputy minister of trade and industry Elizabeth Thabethe has been described as a person who was passionate about economic empowerment.
Thabethe passed away last Friday in hospital after she had been admitted some time ago, following a car accident.
Minister of trade, industry and competition (the DTIC) Ebrahim Patel said Thabethe had played a crucial role in the empowerment of community members.
“She was a champion of ‘Taking the DTIC to the People’ campaign that strengthened government’s commitment to empowering peri-urban communities to accelerate job creation and sustainable economic development in the country,” Patel said.
He said Thabethe would be remembered for her passion in especially women economic empowerment, entrepreneurship and small business development.
“Her untimely passing is a loss to our democracy.”
President Cyril Ramaphosa conveyed his condolences to the Thabethe family.
“As government and the nation, we mourn the passing of a leader and campaigner. She served her political movement, the Gauteng legislature, the national assembly and various economic portfolios in government with distinction and determination.”
He said she had been a champion of economic transformation and equity, who worked tirelessly in our country and internationally in pursuit of economic inclusion and shared prosperity.
“Elizabeth Thabethe’s contribution to our society will endure in the networks she built and unlocked in support of our economic objectives. It also lives on in the work opportunities, new enterprises and growing investment flows that are making a difference in the lives of millions of South Africans.”
He said she would be greatly missed by the many structures on which she had brought her passion and wisdom to bear during a lifetime devoted to the betterment of the lives of all South Africans.
Thabethe was recently appointed as a member of the presidential advisory committee on investment.
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