It is with an immense sense of sadness that the Ministry of Basic Education sends out condolences to the family, friends, and comrades of the young brave leader Comrade Sandra Baloyi.

Baloyi was the first young woman to be elected as the President of the ANC associated learner organisation, the Congress of South African Students (COSAS) which operates in schools across the country.

She came from Moleketla, a village outside Tzaneen in Limpopo but this small town girl had big dreams and went on to be elected President of the largest learner organisation in the country. She was passionate about women’s rights and politics and her short life was testament to this. She was president of COSAS from 2014 until August 2015.

Her untimely death has come as a shock to the Minister and Deputy Minister of Basic Education who have both worked on a number of projects with COSAS over the years.

“She was an exuberant young leader, she had an aura of maturity that was well beyond her years. Her death is a great loss to the organisation, but as a country we have sadly also lost one of our bright young stars,” said Minister Angie Motshekga.

Her family have said that she succumbed to a short illness over the weekend. The Ministry of Basic Education again sends condolences to her family. May Comrade Sandra Baloyi find peace in her final resting place.

Enquiries:        Troy Martens – 079 899 3070