SA public works minister dies after illness

JOHANNESBURG – South African Public Works Minister Stella Sigcau, a prominent figure during apartheid in the country’s former Transkei region, has died after a lengthy illness, officials said yesterday.

She was 69. “The minister passed away in hospital last night.It was cardiac failure after a complicated combination of illnesses,” ministry spokesman Thami Ngidi told Reuters.She was admitted to hospital two weeks ago with cardiac and kidney-related complications, officials said.Sigcau had gone on leave some time ago and her ministry was being temporarily overseen by Minister of Water Affairs and Forestry Buyelwa Sonjica.Sigcau was a prominent political figure in South Africa’s former Transkei region, which under apartheid white-minority rule became a nominally independent black “homeland”.She served as the Transkei’s third prime minister before being deposed in 1987 by a military coup.After South Africa’s first multiracial democratic elections in 1994 Transkei was reincorporated into the rest of the country and Sigcau joined the national cabinet as minister of public enterprises.President Thabo Mbeki led official tributes to Sigcau, a member of local tribal royalty.”Minister Sigcau devoted her working life to the people of South Africa,” Mbeki said in a statement.”Our sincere condolences are offered to the family and the Royal House.”- Nampa-Reuters”The minister passed away in hospital last night.It was cardiac failure after a complicated combination of illnesses,” ministry spokesman Thami Ngidi told Reuters.She was admitted to hospital two weeks ago with cardiac and kidney-related complications, officials said.Sigcau had gone on leave some time ago and her ministry was being temporarily overseen by Minister of Water Affairs and Forestry Buyelwa Sonjica.Sigcau was a prominent political figure in South Africa’s former Transkei region, which under apartheid white-minority rule became a nominally independent black “homeland”.She served as the Transkei’s third prime minister before being deposed in 1987 by a military coup.After South Africa’s first multiracial democratic elections in 1994 Transkei was reincorporated into the rest of the country and Sigcau joined the national cabinet as minister of public enterprises.President Thabo Mbeki led official tributes to Sigcau, a member of local tribal royalty.”Minister Sigcau devoted her working life to the people of South Africa,” Mbeki said in a statement.”Our sincere condolences are offered to the family and the Royal House.”- Nampa-Reuters