Provincial spokesperson, Bronwyn Thomas-Abrahams, says premier Sylvia Lucas will officially announce Cjiekella-Lecholo's passing at a media conference later this morning. Thomas-Abrahams says more details will be provided at the mediaconference.

Cjiekella-Lecholo, also the provincial chairperson of the ANC Women’s League, was born on 14 April 1970 in Paballelo in Upington, where she grew up. She attended the Paballelo Senior Secondary School where she matriculated and  later taught at the same school for a short while.

She enrolled at the University of the Western Cape for a B.Comm Accounting degree. Her studies were interrupted by her involvement in politics and she only later completed various courses at the University of the Free State.

Cjiekella-Lecholo, who has served in various prominent and leadership roles, was appointed MEC of Education in the province in 2009. She also served as acting premier of the province from February 2012 to May 2013.

Christal-Lize Muller/OFM News