IInkatha Freedom Party national council secretary Sue Felgate died after a long battle with cancer at her home in Ulundi on Tuesday morning. She was the party’s first white member.
Felgate, who was once married to former Inkatha politician Walter Felgate, was known to hundreds of journalists as a devoted supporter of the IFP, private secretary of IFP leader Mangosuthu Buthelezi and general administrator of party communications.
United Kingdom born Felgate (62) who was a one-time deputy mayor of Ulundi, worked closely with Buthelezi during the 1970s when Inkatha was formed — as party spokesperson Musa Zondi puts it – as “a liberation movement”.
“That Sue was the first white person to join the IFP when the Political Interference Act was repealed in 1990 allowing people from all racial groups to join the organisation, is perhaps the best testimony to her close involvement with the party she loved,” said Zondi.
Zondi said further: “Sue was without doubt a living institution within the party, known by all for her extraordinary zest for hard-work, attention to detail and unswerving loyalty to the party’s cause. And let there be no doubt, Sue detested mediocrity and tardiness.”
“Sue possessed an acerbic sense of humour and an unusual strength of character. She did not suffer fools gladly, yet most of all, Sue will be remembered by her friends and colleagues for her many, many acts of kindness and the depth of her compassion.”
“Sue was a confidante and a listening ear to many people in the party. In keeping with her character, Sue stayed with us right to the end. We will all miss her dreadfully,” said Zondi. – I-Net Bridge