Volume 10, No.1 - February 2001

Never Again

Obituary

Constance Eva Mashilo 5 June 1974 - 4 January 2001

By Norman Mokoena, COSATU Mpumalanga Regional Secretary

The late Comrade Constance Eva Mashilo was born on 5 June 1974 at Lynnville, Witbank, Mpumalanga. Because of her enthusiasm, she started school at an early age of 5 and completed her Matric at Khaliphani High School in Nelspruit.

She furthered her studies in various institutions. She attended a course in Executive Secretariat/Personal Assistant at the Academy of Learning, which she passed with a distinction and got a Certificate of Achievement. She also did a course in Business Administration.

Further she did Communication Skills at Allenby Home Study, a course in Audio-Visual Communications at Thuthuka Casting and a course in Fundamental Book-keeping Procedure at Allenby Home Study. In 1993 she started working with UFAWUSA as a Senior Secretary. From 1998 to 2000 she worked for NUMSA as a Membership Statistics Administrator.

From 3 April 2000 to her death she was employed at COSATU, Mpumalanga Region, where she performed her duties as a Regional Administrator.

Connie was still young, intelligent, well-read, full of energy, innovative, creative, organised, dedicated, loved her job with passion and committed to the cause of the emancipation of the working class.

She excelled in everything she did. Everything she touched turned into gold. Mpumalanga and the rest of COSATU will miss her immense contribution.

She commanded respect within the administrator fraternity, both in COSATU and in the Alliance. She earned the respect of her peers because of her level of proficiency.

She was not only a typist/receptionist. During her time she led a very vibrant COSATU Gender Forum. She was seen at COSATU local meetings. She never complained about overtime. Connie was indeed poised for greater things in life. Her death robbed us of one of the finest women leaders.

She only spent about 8 months in COSATU but her contribution equals that of a person who has been in the federation for more than 5 years. The effort, time and energy she spent to ensure that the COSATU 2000 campaigns, including the 2000 local government elections, succeeded was remarkable. During this period she left work late and started very early to ensure that everything was on course.

Whilst we mourn her passing away, we celebrate her life. She is survived by her only daughter, Bella Mashilo, father, mother, three sisters (Nomvula, Thembi and Zodwa) and two brothers (Vusi and Sipho).

COSATU sent its condolences to the family and was represented at her funeral on 13 January by four National Office Bearers and many national and regional COSATU staff.

May her soul rest in peace.