Former MEC for Finance in KwaZulu Natal Ina Cronje passed away on Tuesday evening, just five days shy of her 80th birthday. The news of her passing was confirmed this morning by the Trade & Investment KwaZulu Natal Board (TIKZN) where she was a chairperson.

DIED AFTER A SHORT ILLNESS

According to Trade & Investment KwaZulu Natal Board which released a statement on Cronje's passing, she died after a short illness. "It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing away of Ina Cronje. TIKZN Board chair died after a short illness on Tuesday evening. The board of directors wishes to express its sincere condolences to her family and friends as well as our staff members. TIKZN said the former teacher, lawyer, and MEC as well as a member of the provincial legislature will be remembered for her passion for people which informed her politics and drove her advocacy. "All arrangements to remember this doyan of public service will be communicated in due course," read the statement. Cronje was the first ANC Deputy Chief Whip at the provincial legislature and later became Chief Whip and MEC for Education and Finance.

SCORING FIRST UNQUALIFIED AUDIT OPINION

During her tenure as the Education MEC, Cronje inspired her staff to obtain the KZN Education Department's first unqualified audit opinion since democracy. She took over as Finance MEC of the Provincial Treasury in 2009. She went back into legal practice after a 20-year tenure in the KZN legislature. In 2018 she obtained a Master of Law degree in environmental law at the University of KwaZulu-Natal and later she was appointed as the chair of the Trade & Investment KZN board until her untimely death. Her family said in a statement that she died peacefully surrounded by those close to her. She leaves behind her husband of 59 years Pierre, their son Reuben, daughter Larissa and a grandson. "She was a woman of substance, who lived and died on her own terms. She was committed to the struggle and to make South Africa a better place for all," her family said.