Condolence message to the Delport Family on the passing on of Mrs. Elizabeth Delport

It is with deep shock and a great sense of loss that we learnt of the passing away of Mrs. Elizabeth Delport, fondly known as Elize.  We remember her as an Alumuni of the African Centre for Democracy and Human Rights Studies (ACDHRS) of over a decade, who rose to become a member of the Governing Council of the ACDHRS in 2010.

The African Centre and many of its partners, especially the Solidarity for African Women’s Rights (SOAWR) coalition (a coalition of African women’s rights organisations, with a Secretariat based in Nairobi, Kenya) had the opportunity to work closely with Elize at various levels.  Elize was well known for her immense contribution in the promotion and protection of the rights of women and girls in Africa and beyond.  She was a strong advocate for the continued organisation of the Forum on the Participation of NGOs in the Work of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights.

She has also participated as Resource Persons in many of our training courses on the human rights of women and gender equality.  She was very resourceful, an excellent team player and a pleasure to work with.  I found her passion for the work she is engaged only equalled by her pleasant disposition.  Elize loved life and people.  It is, therefore, little wonder that she was able to make every one feel special and loved.

As we mourn her death, we also celebrate her life. Elize was one of a kind, warm hearted, a joy to be with, hospitable and above all an inspiration to each and every one of us.  As part of the women’s right movement in Africa, we have indeed lost a colleague and a very dear friend.

We pray that God grants the Delport family the strength and fortitude to bear such an irreparable loss.  May the grace and peace of God, our Almighty Father, be sufficient for us all at this very sombre moment.

On behalf of the Governing Council, Management, Staff and partners of the African Centre for Democracy and Human Rights Studies, please accept, our heartfelt condolences, dear Malaika and Piet and extend our most sincere sympathy to the entire Delport family.

We will surely and sorely miss her. May her gentle soul rest in perfect peace!

(Signed)

Hannah Forster

Executive Director, ACDHRS

27/12/13