President Cyril Ramaphosa has expressed his condolences to the family and friends of former Free State Premier, Beatrice Marshoff, who passed away on Saturday.

Marshoff was Premier of the province from 2004 to 2009, prior to that she served as MEC for Social Development and also served as a Member of Parliament between 1994 and 1999.

She returned to her profession, nursing, after resigning from active politics and serving as Premier.

“Beatrice Marshoff was the embodiment of selfless and true servant leadership. She embraced her leadership roles with vigour, taking on the joys and hardships of leadership with equal measure.

“Marshoff was relentless in her stance against corruption, maladministration and abuse of public office. She was never afraid of taking unpopular decisions even within her own party and against so-called popular individuals.

“Being unencumbered by the trappings and privilege of political office, she returned to her nursing profession – an act that personified her true humility and dedication to serving our people,” President Ramaphosa said.

In a statement, the Free State Provincial Government said current Premier Mxolisi Dukwana expressed his “deep regret and shock” at Marshoff’s passing away.

“Premier Dukwana extends his deepest condolences to the Marshoff family and next of kin. Former Premier Marshoff, was one of the four female Premiers the Free State has had, since the dawn of democracy in 1994.

“She served the people of the Free State province with great honour and distinction particularly at a time when female leaders in such positions were a great rarity,” the provincial government said.

Source: South African Government News Agency