Marshoff (66), who was the premier of the province between 2004 and 2009, passed on on Saturday 15 April 2023. 

The ousted Premier Sisi Ntombela said Marshoff's death cuts deep and couldn't have come at a worse time when the province needs all to rally behind the leadership in shaping the future of the beloved Free State province.

“It was with profound sadness that I learned about the untimely passing of Mme Beatrice Marshoff. She was one of our torch-bearers in the Free State, having led the province for five years. She was a pioneer whose leadership inspired hope and some of us were greatly inspired by this giant who led with absolute humility. Through her leadership, she demonstrated that women were indeed capable to lead. Mme Marshoff leaves behind a great legacy. She will be sorely missed. I am grateful to have served with a woman of her stature,” Ntombela added.

“The DA in the Free State is saddened to learn of the death of former Premier Beatrice Marshoff.

“She will be remembered as a person who, after holding the highest political office in the Free State, and after retirement from politics returned to her previous profession as a nursing sister.

“She was also one of the few politicians who stood up against Ace Magashule by firing him as MEC for Agriculture.

“She was clearly a political victim of the new regime that took power in 2009 under Jacob Zuma as President who immediately replaced Marshoff with Magashule.

“Beatrice will be remembered as a hard worker who was available and responsive to opposition politicians. While she was a staunch party loyalist, she understood the boundaries between her role as a Premier for all the people in the province and that of an ANC-deployed politician.

“The DA expresses our condolences to her family and friends. Her loss is a loss to all Free Staters.”

The current Free State Premier, Mxolisi Dukwana, also sent his message of condolences to the family and friends of the late Premier. Dukwana said Marshoff served the people of the Free State province with great honour and distinction, particularly at a time when female leaders in such positions were a great rarity.

Meanwhile, the Congress of the People's (Cope) national spokesperson, Dennis Bloem, told OFM News that the passing of Marshoff is a huge loss not only to her family but also to the people of the Free State and the entire country.

“Cope is shocked and saddened by the news of the passing on of Ms Beatrice Marshoff, former Premier of the Free State and Member of Parliament. This is a huge loss not only to her family but also to the people of the Free State and the entire country. The country has lost a dedicated, hardworking, and loyal servant of the people.”

Bloem said the country has lost a principled ethical leader who hated corruption with a passion.

"She became an outcast amongst some of her own comrades because of her stance against corruption. We will always respect her for that unwavering leadership. We will never forget how she worked tirelessly to improve the lives of the people of the Free State. 

“Comrade Beatrice's mission was always to unite the people of the Free State and the country and strived for a better life for all. She strongly believed in the Freedom Charter that South Africa belongs to all who live in it, black and white. We don't have any doubt that her passing is also a massive loss to her political party, the ANC,” Bloem added.

OFM News