President Hage Geingob is saddened by the death of Deputy Secretary-General of ANC, Jessie Duarte. Duarte died this morning following a long battle with cancer. The South African politician has since been buried in accordance with Islamic customs. President Geingob in a statement said ''I have learned with sadness about the passing of Comrade Jessie Duarte, the Deputy Secretary General of our sister party, the African National Congress. Comrade Duarte will be remembered by many as a courageous freedom fighter who committed her life in service of the African National Congress and the people of South Africa. During this difficult hour of grief, I express on behalf of the Namibian Government and the rank and file of the SWAPO Party, our sincere condolences to the family of Comrade Duarte, the African National Congress and the fraternal people of South Africa." Ambassador Duarte was a long-time anti-apartheid activist who served as Special Assistant to former President Nelson Mandela and liberation struggle stalwart Walter Sisulu. In 1994 she was appointed to the Gauteng Provincial government as a Member of the Executive Council responsible for Safety and Security. Duarte served as South Africa's Ambassador to Mozambique from 1999 to 2003.