Dudu Buthelezi, Diketso Mufamadi, Jill Coetzee (nee Phillips), Zelda Isaacs, Razia Saleh, Goolam Aboobaker, Boniswa Nyati, John Samuel, Florence Garishe, Lucky Mazibuko, Vimla Naidoo, Maeline Engelbrecht, Sandy Ramnaidoo, Ethel Arends, Sahm Venter, Sikhona Ndlovu, Mothomang Diaho, Makano Morojele, Leon Botha, Virginia Engel, Bridgette Prince, Lee Davies, Shadrack Katuu, Tania Arrison-Shunmugam, Jill Ruby, Bushy Mphahlele, Joel Netshitenzhe, Sello Hatang, Lucia Raadschelders, Maretha Slabbert, Buyi Sishuba, Thembeka Mufamadi, Joe Ditabo, William Smith, Fanie Pretorius, Khehla Shubane, Yase Godlo, Verne Harris, Zelda la Grange, Gloria Jafta and Gerrit Wissing
It is with deep sadness that we at the Nelson Mandela Foundation have learned of the passing of Virginia Engel after a long illness.
A former trade unionist and political activist, Virginia Engel was employed as President Nelson Mandela’s Principal Private Secretary in 1997. She worked with President Mandela until the end of his term of office and could not take up his offer to join him in his post-presidential office because of ill-health.
After his passing Mrs Engel was invited by Graça Machel to a gathering of staff and former staff at the Nelson Mandela Foundation in Johannesburg. There she related a story of her trip to the United States of America with President Mandela in 1998 when they stayed at the White House.
She recalled how she and President Mandela’s doctor got up in the middle of the night for a tiptoe around the White House. They dashed back to their rooms when they saw President Bill Clinton in the corridor.
On behalf of the Chairman of our Board Professor Njabulo Ndebele, the Trustees and Staff we send our deepest condolences to Desmond Engel and their three daughters, her friends, comrades and former colleagues. May she Rest in Peace.