July 2006 Vuk’uzenzele 21 New responsibilities Some changes to Cabinet After the death of Stella Sigcau, President Thabo Mbeki made the following changes to Cabinet: n Thoko Angela Didiza, n Buyelwa Patience former Minister of Agricul- Sonjica, previously the ture and Land Affairs, was Minister of Water Affairs, appointed Minister of Pub- was appointed Minister of lic Works to fill the vacant Minerals and Energy. position left by Sigcau. n Lulu Xingwana, n Lindiwe Benedicta previously the Deputy Hendricks, former Min- Minister of Minerals and ister of Minerals and En- Energy, was appointed ergy, was appointed Min- Minister of Agriculture ister of Water Affairs and and Land Affairs. Forestry. STELLA SIGCAU - An unselfish spirit tella Sigcau was a hard worker, teacher, politi- cian and selfless com- munity worker. SThese words by President Thabo Mbeki described former Minister of Public Works, Stella Nomzamo Sigcau, who passed away on 7 May 2006. He said she was a heroine with an unselfish spirit. in South African politics. She was During this time, she focused Sigcau was born to the AmaM- a member of the African National on developing infrastructure like pondo Royal House in 1937. She Congress (ANC) Youth League, roads in rural areas, promoting was the eldest daughter of the and later became leader of the women, transforming the con- late King Botha Manzolwandle Transkei. Before 1994, she repre- struction industry, fighting pov- Sigcau and Getrude Sigcau (nee sented the Cape Traditional Lead- erty and improving public serv- Sikeni). ers in the Multi-Party Negotiating ice delivery. Her siblings are the late Them- Process at the World Trade Cen- At the time of her death, Stella beka, King Thandizulu and the tre. Sigcau was also a member of the late Ntsikayezwe Sigcau. In In 1994, Sigcau was appointed Congress of Traditional Leaders 1962, she married Ronald Tsha- Public Enterprises Minister under of South Africa, a member of the balala. They had three children former President Nelson Mandela. ANC Women’s League’s KwaZu- Nombulelo, Leslie and the late In 1999, she became Public Works lu-Natal executive council, and Sibusiso. Minister, the position she held at chairperson of the league in the Sigcau played an important role the time of her death. Transkei. - Justice Mohale.