SUZAN Lebelo, ANC Women's League (ANCWL) regional secretary in Thabo Mofutsanyana region in Free State, was laid to rest at Bluegambosch Cemetery on Sunday, 14 April.
The 50-year-old died after a short illness, leaving behind three children. Her funeral service was held at Phuthaditjhaba Multipurpose Hall in Fee State.
She was described as a fearless woman in politics who contributed a lot to community development in her home village, Boiketlo Village.
Suzan died waiting for justice for her 25-year-old nephew whose headless body was recovered in a donga with severe burn wounds.
ALSO READ | I almost died for my friends' sins!
Her younger sister, Sinah said her death is a double pain to the family as they're still recovering from their nephew's death.
"It's very unfortunate we lost two family members in a very short space of time. My sister was fighting hard to ensure justice prevails for our son. She died before the case was concluded. Our hearts are bleeding. We've lost a very important member of the family. Suzan was a fearless woman who always wanted to see black people in rural communities get services,” she said.
Sinah said Suzan participated in the School Governing Bodies of two schools in their village and was also a community representative at Boiketlo Clinic.
ANCWL provincial chairwoman, Conny Msibi said Suzan's death is a great loss to the organisation. She described Suzan as a giant who walked in the footsteps of Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, Charlotte Maxeke and Lilian Ngoyi.
"Suzan was a hard-working ground soldier. She led many structures of the organisation including the youth league’s mother body and women's league. Suzan had a task on her hands. She was the one who was controlling and giving orders and deploying women in Thabo Mofutsanyana region. She died at a crucial time when the country is approaching the national and provincial elections," said Msibi.
