On Monday, 22 March 2021, the Ministry sadly learnt of the untimely passing of one of their  own, Ms Leonah Smith, PA to the Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Nathi Mthethwa.   

        

Over and above being a consummate proffesional, Ms Smith was loved by all who knew her. She was meticulous in her work and served the Ministry with pride and the highest esteem.

Leonah Lee-Ann Smith was born on August 27, 1980 in Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu Natal. She completed her fundamentals in Project Management as well as Specialised Project Management with the University of the Witwatersrand.

 

Minister Mthethwa said “Leonah was the ultimate personification of servant leadership in both her personal and professional life.  She was a patriot in her own right. She was wise beyond her years and believed in empowering others. She was always willing to share her time, expertise and all that she had to make others feel valued. She was passionate about education and personal development and challenged her colleagues and friends to continuously study.”

 

Ms Smith was as warm and loving in her professional life as she was in her personal life. She created a lasting legacy in the Ministry, the Department and in the lives of all that she touched.

 

As a Department, they say they  are shattered. Her memory will forever be etched in our hearts.

DSAC is hosting Ms Smith’s memorial service at the National Library of South Africa in Pretoria at 11h30 on Thursday the 25th of March 2021. Due to COVID-19 regulations, the event will be live streamed on all official platforms.