MORE than 1 000 mourners gathered at Mentor\u2019s Country Estate outside Jeffreys Bay on Monday to bid an emotional farewell to Kouga Executive Mayor Elza van Lingen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Van Lingen passed away at her home in Cape St Francis on April 19, surrounded by family and loved ones. She had been diagnosed with cancer in 2009.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Among the dignitaries at the service was DA leader Mmusi Maimane, who described Kouga\u2019s late Mayor as \u201cinspirational and impactful\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cShe had a strong sense of duty and showed profound courage with a raging disease. Kouga has not just lost a Mayor, it has lost a mother and the DA has lost a shining star who knew what it meant to be a public servant.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Kouga Municipal Manager Charl du Plessis delivered a heartfelt tribute to the late Mayor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cElza was a leader to the end. The 10 months I had the privilege of working with her, were the best months of my career.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He said Van Lingen had been renowned for her incredible work ethic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cShe was the first person at the office in the mornings. There were many mornings when I opened my e-mail, just to see e-mails from her, sent at 5am. Very few people could keep up with her pace. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhile her body was weakening, her spirit remained strong. Even while she was battling with her personal health, her spirit was focused on the Kouga Municipality and what we had to do to turn the municipality around. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cShe wanted to live every day the Lord gave her to the fullest, and she did that till the end.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cEven when the end was nearing, she was strong and clear what she wanted from those of us. Her words to me when she finally opened up to me about the approaching end, were: \u201cGet over it and get on with the job at hand. There is a lot of work to be done. We owe it to the people of Kouga\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The dynamic and passionate former Member of Parliament, Elza van Lingen was born and raised in Willowmore. 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