The African National Congress (ANC) will today celebrate the life of late struggle stalwart, Gertrude Shope, in Centurion near Pretoria.

Shope’s memorial service will take place that 3C Church in Irene, Centurion this afternoon.

“Ma Shope”, as she was affectionately known, passed away on Thursday last week at the age of 99.

President Cyril Ramaphosa has accorded Shope a Special Official Funeral Category One for the role she played in the liberation struggle.

Her funeral is set to take place in Johannesburg on Saturday.

Tomorrow, Thursday, 29 May 2025, we celebrate the extraordinary life and legacy of Isithwalandwe/Seaparankoe Gertrude Ntiti Shope, a fearless freedom fighter, women’s rights champion, and pillar of the liberation movement.

📍 10H00 – Blouse Hanging | Mme Gertrude Residence
📍… pic.twitter.com/pdfTqMd3ab

— ANC – African National Congress (@MYANC) May 28, 2025

Shope joined the ANC at the age of 29 and soon afterwards left teaching as part of the campaign to boycott Bantu Education during the apartheid era.

She served as President of the ANC Women’s League and the Head of ANC Women’s Section in exile.

She was also among the first cohort of women MPs after the first democratic elections in 1994.

Throughout her life, Shope championed the empowerment of women in the ANC and other spheres of society.

ANC Treasurer-General Dr Gwen Ramokgopa says advancing gender parity in government, business and labour will be the best way to remember the late Shope.

VIDEO | ANC struggle icon Gertrude Shope remembered:

-Additional reporting by Ntebo Mokobo