The South African Parliament expressed shock at the untimely passing of Environmental Affairs Minister Edna Molewa. Molewa had been dedicated to sustainable development and appreciated the environment as crucial to prosperity and human development. She worked with absolute dedication and integrity since becoming a member of parliament in 1994. Molewa's passing is a great loss as it comes at a critical time when environmental degradation has become severe. Parliament extends its condolences to Molewa's family and hopes that her death will inspire greater efforts to protect the environment.

1. MEDIA RELEASE
Parliament Shocked by untimely passing on of Environmental Affairs Minister
Edna Molewa
Parliament, Saturday 22 September 2018 – The Parliament of South Africa has
learnt with shock, the sad news of the untimely passing-on of Minister of
Environmental Affairs Ms Edna Molewa today.
The Presiding Officers of Parliament, Speaker of the National Assembly, Ms Baleka
Mbete and Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces, Ms Thandi Modise,
have run short of words to express their deep sorrow and disbelief at losing such a
fine and dedicated servant leader of the people, and one of the longest serving
Members of Parliament. The Presiding Officers said Minister Molewa’s passion for
sustainable development that is anchored on the full appreciation of the environment
as the source of prosperity, growth and human development, permeated every facet
of our work as Parliament, national and internationally.
Minister Molewa worked with absolute dedication and integrity since becoming a
Member of Parliament in 1994. Parliament cherishes her contributions in building
South Africa’s young Parliament and all its systems, as she became the first female
Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Trade and Industry in 1994.
Her passing-on is a tragedy and a great loss to our country, the continent of Africa
and the world over, because Minister Molewa leaves us at a critical time when some
of the warnings about environmental degradation have come to pass. We trust that
on the occasion of passing on, millions more people in this country and across the
world would make new pledges to spare no effort in protecting our environment.
Parliament extends its heartfelt condolences to the family of the Late Minister
Molewa.
May her soul rest in peace.
Issued by the Parliament of the Republic of South Africa
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