ANC pays tribute to MP Mathilda Bains following her passing
The ANC parliamentary caucus has paid tribute to MP and former executive mayor of Matzikama Municipality, Mathilda Bains, who passed away after an illness at Netcare Kuilsriver Hospital in the early hours of Wednesday morning.
Bains, aged 68, was the ANC’s permanent delegate to the National Council of Provinces and served as a member of the party’s Western Cape provincial executive committee.
ANC Chief Whip Mdumiseni Ntuli said they learnt with great sorrow of her passing.
“Comrade Bains was a true champion of community development. She played a leading role in campaigns for child protection and against substance abuse,” Ntuli said.
He also said Bains, whom he described as having a passion for people’s development, started her career as an educator at Nieuwoudt Primary School in January 1978, until she left the profession in 1995.
“Her commitment to public service blossomed when she served as the coordinator in the Department of Social Development in Vredendal and executive mayor of Matzikama Municipality, among other endeavours.”
Ntuli sent heartfelt condolences to the Bains family during this difficult time of mourning on behalf of the ANC caucus.
“We further express our sympathies to the friends, colleagues, comrades, and constituents in the West Coast Region,” he said.
Neville Delport, ANC provincial secretary in the Western Cape, said they were profoundly saddened by the death of Bains, who also served as a member of the Western Cape ANC provincial working committee.
Delport said Bains was a remarkable and exceptional woman throughout her deployment and organisational work.
He described her as a mentor and guide of young people inside and outside the ranks of the ANC.
“She was a social activist and community leader.”
Delport also said Bains will always stand out as a change agent and committed revolutionary.
“Despite her years of wisdom, she had a unique ability to always seek advice and help with any matter she was not sure of. We have a responsibility to honour her memory by following her example of grounded selfless servant leadership,” he said.
At the time of her passing as an MP, Bains served on the Select Committee on Education, Science and Creative Industries, as well as the Select Committee on Social Services.
mayibongwe.maqhina@inl.co.za