Jessie Duarte
Jessie Yasmin Duarte (born 19 September 1953) is a South African politician and deputy secretary-general of the African National Congress. A long time anti-apartheid activist, she has served variously as a special assistant to Nelson Mandela, a member of the provincial cabinet (MEC) for Gauteng, as ambassador to Mozambique and as spokesperson for the ANC, before assuming her current post as Deputy Secretary-General of the ANC in 2012.
Jessie Duarte | |
---|---|
Deputy Secretary-General of the African National Congress | |
Assumed office 18 December 2012 | |
President | Jacob Zuma Cyril Ramaphosa |
Secretary-General | Gwede Mantashe Ace Magashule |
Preceded by | Thandi Modise |
Personal details | |
Born | Coronationville, Gauteng, South Africa | 19 September 1953
Nationality | South African |
Political party | African National Congress |
In 2009 she featured in the news for two recorded diatribes launched against journalists Philani Nombembe of The Sunday Times[1] and John Humphrys of BBC Radio.[2]
In 2014, Duarte publicly compared Israel's alleged actions in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank to that of Nazi Germany.[3] This drew strong rebukes from Jewish groups within South Africa.[4]
On 7 January 2021, Duarte announced that she would be retiring as deputy secretary-general of the ANC at the party's next conference in 2022.[5]
Family
Duarte is the sister of Achmat Dangor.[6]
References
- "The Times". Archived from the original on 2009-04-22. Retrieved 2009-04-22.
- "South Africa prepares for vote". April 17, 2009 – via news.bbc.co.uk.
- "ANC: Statement by Jessie Duarte, ANC Deputy Secretary General, on the situation in the Gaza Strip (10/07/2014)". Polity.org.za.
- "ANC comparison of Israel to Nazis riles South African Jews". The Jerusalem Post | JPost.com.
- du Plessis, Carien (7 January 2021). "Jessie Duarte to retire in 2 years' time, says she is looking forward to 'writing books'". News24. Retrieved 7 January 2021.
- "Tributes pour in for author, political activist Achmat Dangor". www.iol.co.za. Retrieved 2020-09-06.