Yoliswa Dwane, one of the co-founders of Equal Education, will be remembered as an unsung hero who played a critical role in improving school infrastructure in the townships.
Ms Dwane, 40, recently succumbed to liver cancer at Khayelitsha District Hospital.
She was born at ePirie Mission near Dimbaza eQonce, the only child of Boniswa Dwane.
In 2008 she founded Equal Education with Doron Isaac and Zackie Achmat, having completed a degree in Media, Film and Visual Studies, and then a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) at the University of Cape Town.
Between 2012 and 2018 she served two tenures as Equal Education’s chairperson.
Under her firm leadership the organisation flourished and ran a wide campaign to improve school infrastructure and build libraries, Equal Education said, adding that she had played a critical role in growing the organisation and building branches across the country.
Their general secretary, Noncedo Madubedube, described Ms Dwane as a “formidable, strong and graceful” leader.
“She believed absolutely that parliamentary engagements, media advocacy, policy outputs and legal interventions are given their power – and much legitimacy – by our grassroots organising across the country every day.
“She cared deeply for the lives of every single one of our members and consistently challenged the young people working inside EE to foreground Equalisers in all of our work.
“The contribution to the struggle for equity and justice in post-apartheid South Africa is undeniable. We are very grateful to her for it. We wish we had celebrated your life more Sis Yoli, while you were still with us,” she said .
Yoliswa’s brother, Mbulelo Dwane, said the family was devastated by the death of their “smiling and shining star”.
Despite having given her all to her “baby called EE”, he said, she never forgot about her family.
“We have no words to describe the loss of our sister. We are extremely hurt. But we are also grateful that she leaves a lasting legacy,” he said
