HARARE, Mar. 10, (NewsDay Live) - Condolence messages for the late women’s rights activist Everjoice Jeketa Win continue to pour in from around the world, with many describing her as a global champion for gender equality.
Popularly known as EJ, Win died on Sunday in Johannesburg, South Africa.
She was 60.
Action Aid Zimbabwe country director Joy Mabenge described Win as a mentor.
“My friend, mentor, sister, colleague Everjoice J. Win! Thank you for all you did for me as a person! I am holding on to the audio with your last words directly to me. Rest in Power EJ!,” Mabenge posted on her Facebook page.
Development practitioner Martha Tholanah described Win's death as “sad".
“Thankful for your legacy and wealth of knowledge that you left for us and generations to come. Fly high, my dear Sister EJ.”
Feminist organisation Just Associates (Jass) Southern Africa described Win as a feminist of great repute and standing in the region.
“What a force you will always be! Jass is grateful to have known, loved, and been loved by you,” the organisation said in a statement.
“She showed us all to live with joy and generosity, love and heart, and a feminist fierceness that never dimmed.
“She challenged us to breathe, to fight, to keep going — even when the world tells us to stop.”
Equality Now's representative for Southern Africa Sally Ncube said: “She was here, she lived, she loved, she showed up, she worked hard, she laughed, she organised, she stood firm, she inspired, she pushed back, she defended and fought hard for women’s freedoms, inclusion, equality, rights and power. #RestInPowerEJ.”
EJ's family said details regarding her memorial service and burial will be communicated in due course.
Win worked for Action Aid, Oxfam Canada, Women in Law and Development in Africa as well as Women's Action Group.
She also served as a Commonwealth advisor to the Commission on Gender Equality of South Africa.
She was also an active leader in social justice movements such as the National Constitutional Assembly of Zimbabwe, Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition, Women and Aids Support Network, the Association of Women’s Rights in Development, and the Centre for Civil Society at the University of Kwa-Zulu Natal.
She was a columnist and contributor to several newspapers, magazines and journals.
