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"description": "Daily Maverick is an independent online news publication and weekly print newspaper in South Africa.\r\n\r\nIt is known for breaking some of the defining stories of South Africa in the past decade, including the Marikana Massacre, in which the South African Police Service killed 34 miners in August 2012.\r\n\r\nIt also investigated the Gupta Leaks, which won the 2019 Global Shining Light Award.\r\n\r\nThat investigation was credited with exposing the Indian-born Gupta family and former President Jacob Zuma for their role in the systemic political corruption referred to as state capture.\r\n\r\nIn 2018, co-founder and editor-in-chief Branislav ‘Branko’ Brkic was awarded the country’s prestigious Nat Nakasa Award, recognised for initiating the investigative collaboration after receiving the hard drive that included the email tranche.\r\n\r\nIn 2021, co-founder and CEO Styli Charalambous also received the award.\r\n\r\nDaily Maverick covers the latest political and news developments in South Africa with breaking news updates, analysis, opinions and more.",
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"contents": "\n\n<p><span ><span >Skweyiya died on Wednesday morning in Tshwane after a long illness, according to a statement released by the ANC. Skweyiya was due to celebrate his 76th birthday on 14 April. </span></span></p>\n<p><span ><span >Skweyiya had been a member of the former liberation party since 1956. From 1994, he joined Nelson Mandela’s Cabinet in the new SA as Minister of Public Service. He also served under the presidencies of Thabo Mbeki and Kgalema Motlanthe between 1999 and 2009, as minister of social development. </span></span></p>\n<p><span ><span >According to a statement by the ANC, Skweyiya “spearheaded the implementation of our social protection system, including the child grants and the formation of the South African Social Security Agency”.</span></span></p>\n<p><span ><span >Sassa has recently been embroiled in a lengthy court battle over the payments of social grants. </span></span></p>\n<p><span ><span >United Democratic Movement leader Bantu Holomisa, said “the almost 18--<g class=\"gr_ gr_42 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_disable_anim_appear Grammar only-ins replaceWithoutSep\" id=\"42\" data-gr-id=\"42\">million</g> beneficiaries of this (social grants) system owe their sustenance to him”.</span></span></p>\n<p><span ><span >Posting on Facebook, Holomisa described Skweyiya as a “thinker and a man given to great pause”.</span></span></p>\n<p><span ><span >Following the national elections in 2009 when Jacob Zuma was elected president, Skweyiya was appointed as High Commissioner of South Africa to the United Kingdom and Ireland. </span></span></p>\n<p><span ><span >ANC spokesperson Pule Mabe praised Skweyiya as a “gentle giant” whose life was dedicated to service, excellence, and love for his people and the movement.</span></span></p>\n<p><span ><span >Skweyiya was an ANC NEC member until 2012. According to </span></span><a href=\"http://ewn.co.za/2018/04/11/condolences-pour-in-for-late-anc-veteran-zola-skweyiya\"><span style=\"color: #1155cc;\"><span ><span ><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">EWN</span></span></span></span></a><span ><span >, he was one of 101 stalwarts and apartheid activists who called for the resignation of former president Jacob Zuma in 2016. </span></span></p>\n<p><span ><span >President Cyril Ramaphosa also issued a statement on Wednesday saying: “Our thoughts, as colleagues and comrades, go out to the family and friends of Dr Skweyiya who served our country with great passion and distinction during his time in Cabinet and the diplomatic service. </span></span></p>\n<p>“<span ><span >Dr Skweyiya’s endearing engagement and his contribution to our society, especially his role as the first minister to lead the Public Service in a democratic South Africa, will be greatly missed and honoured.”</span></span></p>\n<p><span ><span >Skweyiya’s death was announced on the morning of a memorial in Soweto for fellow ANC veteran, Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, who will be buried on Saturday.</span></span></p>\n<p><span ><span >Funeral arrangements for Skweyiya were still due to be announced. </span></span><span ><span ><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><b>DM</b></span></span></span></p>\n\n<p><span ><span style=\"font-family: sans-serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: xx-small;\"><i><span ><span >Photo: Zola Skweyiya by Wikimedia Commons</span></span></i></span></span></span></p>",
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