Media release: Nelson Mandela Foundation mourns the passing of Ambassador Zola Skweyiya
Date: 11 April 2018
From: Nelson Mandela Foundation
We at the Nelson Mandela Foundation send our deepest condolences to the family, friends and comrades of Ambassador Zola Skweyiya. South Africa has lost a veteran of the struggle and a servant of democracy. The Foundation has lost a friend.
This long-time anti-apartheid activist devoted his life to attaining and nurturing democracy in South Africa. He served in President Nelson Mandela’s Cabinet as Minister of Public Service and Administration, as Minister of Social Welfare under President Thabo Mbeki, and later became South Africa’s Ambassador in London.
Madiba respected the work he did in the field of HIV/AIDS. In 2002 Madiba spoke of how he was moved by Skweyiya’s efforts to help people stigmatized by their HIV-positive status.
Ambassador Skweyiya supported the Foundation on a number of projects over the years. In 2010, for instance, he hosted the London launch of Madiba’s book, Conversations with Myself.
We will miss him.
ENDS
Media enquiries:
Luzuko Koti