Former Minister Zola Skweyiya has passed away, shortly before what would have been his 76th birthday on 14 April.
Skweyiya, who died after a protracted illness, became a Member of Parliament in 1994 and assumed the position of Minister of Public Service and Administration.
In 1999, he was appointed as Minister of Social Development, a post he held for the next ten years until 2009. He spearheaded the implementation of the social protection system, including the child grants and the formation of the South African Social Security Agency.
He was passionate about the protection of the elderly, and held numerous outreach programmes and engagements with older South Africans across the country.
In 2009, he was appointed as High Commissioner of South Africa to the UK and Ireland, where he advanced the interest of South Africa and Africa.
On his return, he remained active in ANC veterans’ structures and an outspoken advocate for the renewal and restoration of the integrity and values of the movement he had served all his life. – SAnews.gov.za
