LIMPOPO – Sandra Baloyi, the country’s first female president of the Congress of South African Students (Cosas), died on Sunday after a short illness.
Her family confirmed that she died in her sleep at the hostel she resided at.
Originally from Tzaneen she was living in Polokwane where she was studying human resources management at Boston City College.
According to Renny Mabuza, the Regional Secretary of Cosas in Mopani, Baloyi was one of the most hard working and intelligent women he has had the pleasure of meeting.
“As Cosas we are deeply devastated and hurt by her passing. She was a political parent to me and taught me everything I know. There is no one who will ever fill her shoes because she was one of a kind. She was a great leader in her own right and the reason Cosas had a female president,” Mabuza said.
First female president of Cosas, the late Sandra Baloyi photographed here with the former premier, Cassel Mathale.
According to family representative Peter Ngobeni, Sandra was a beacon of hope for the family.
“She was such a loving and selfless person. We are shattered by her passing because we all looked up to her and admired the person she was. She was a pillar of strength for us and larger than life,” Ngobeni said.
The Premier, Stanley Mathabatha urged young people in the province to take notes from Baloyi.
“Sandra was an entertainer, a motivator, an educator and a true politician who posed as a mirror of the nation. She was instrumental in trying to broker peace amid the Vuwani debacle. She always urge people to use education as the instrument to win battles and brighten the future.”
Her memorial service will be held in her home in Tzaneen at Moleketla village Bolobedu South on Friday. She will be buried a day later.
