Former deputy mayor of Springs Anna Noganiwe “Antie” Nyathela mourned
Nathela's love for politics was born during her tenure as a shop steward.
Kwatsaduza – The community of Ekurhuleni is mourning the death of the former deputy mayor of Springs and Member of the Provincial Legislature (MPL) in Gauteng, Anna Noganiwe “Antie” Nyathela.
Nyathela started her working career as an assistant nurse at Pollak Hospital where she worked from 1977 until 1985.
In 1986 she joined Kwikot Limited as a quality assurer until 1990. During her tenure, she was elected as a shop steward. This is where her interest in politics came to life.
She also served as a councillor in KwaThema/Springs from the early 1990s to late 2000s and participated in the Infrastructure Portfolio Committee.
Nyathela died after a long illness on Sunday morning.
She played a significant role in the establishment of local government leading up to the realisation of the new democratic government in 1994.
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Nyathela continued to make a meaningful contribution to the full-circle-politics, emancipation and protection of women and girl children.
From the 1980s, Nyathela was active in various structures of non-governmental organisations that dealt with women’s issues.
She was elected as deputy regional chairperson of ANC Ekurhuleni and later the regional treasurer of ANC Women’s League in Ekurhuleni.
Her activism saw her assisting women structures of the then East Rand after the unbanning and went on to found Dawn Africa Trust of Inkateko Women Development Organisation in KwaThema.
In the late 2000s, she became an entrepreneur.
In a statement released by the ANC Caucus in Ekurhuleni, it stated that her community activism and commitment to the liberation, transformation, and empowerment of the previously marginalised cannot be contested.
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“Nyathela understood that women were not only oppressed as a race, but women experienced discrimination based on class and gender.
“She remains counted among many heroes of Ekurhuleni and KwaThema in particular, who sacrificed a better part of their lives to the struggle for liberation.
“Nyathela made an immense contribution that laid a solid foundation in ensuring that women’s issues are prominent in her activism and worked tirelessly to ensure that they remain on the political agenda.
“She further played a pivotal role to influence several pieces of legislation such as domestic violence, sexual violence, and maintenance through her grassroots participation.
“There is no doubt that her leadership, as an activist and outstanding community developer, was emphatically on the social development for the residents of KwaThema, Springs, Ekurhuleni, and Gauteng at large.
“We remain indebted to her commitment to community development, service to her people and wisdom that glued us together even through the most difficult moments organisationally and otherwise.
“We wish to extend our gratitude to the family for having allowed us to share her life with the rest of the community of KwaThema/Springs, Ekurhuleni, and the country at large,” reads the statement.
Former Springs Advertiser journalist and current spokesperson of the City of Ekurhuleni, Zweli Dlamini, described Nyathela as a selfless mother to all.
“She carried so many societal problems on her shoulders outing the interests of others before those of herself and her family. Whenever we needed her comments, she was a phone call away even when protocol didn’t allow it.
“When we faulted or misquoted her she would call me as a mother and asked that I should not repeat it and we would correct the mistake.
“I remember her for being active in all fronts of the community be it in sports, social groups and also did her bit to empower women, especially in the area of business.
“For many young people and ANC cadres in the country at large, she was a springboard for advice and ideas. She provided wisdom to many including some who hold very high offices in government.
“This was such a humble woman that even after ascending to the second highest office in the erstwhile Springs City Council in the 90s during the era of the transitional local councils, she never changed who she was. She kept in touch with her people and continued to do so until her death.
“She is a tall tree that never hesitated to tackle societal issues as and when the need arose.
“The City of Ekurhuleni, the people of Gauteng and the whole country have lost a great servant of the people. I will never forget those days when she would chair council meetings from one morning to the early hours of the next day without any discomfort.
“Her commitment demonstrated that she did not join the struggle for liberation by mistake and she understood that a lot more still needs to be done to empower the less fortunate in our communities,” he said.
Nyathela will be buried on Saturday, the service will start at 7am and cortege will leave for the Enokuthula Cemetery at 11.
