The Democratic Alliance (DA) confirmed Marlene van Staden died, on Thursday, 8 June 2023. She was 42.
Marlene van Staden dies: What’s the cause of death?
The DA’s first-ever Limpopo mayor, elected in the 2016 local government elections, passed away on Thursday morning, after a long battle with cancer.
Jacques Smalle, the DA’s provincial chairperson, expressed deep sorrow over the loss of Van Staden. He highlighted her role in bringing stability to the municipality during her eight-year tenure, stating,
“We are profoundly saddened by her passing; she played an instrumental role in stabilising the municipality in the past eight years. She will definitely be dearly missed. Yes, she had a battle with cancer, and she was a brave woman fighting every day.”
Marlene van Staden biography
Marlene van Staden was born in Empangeni, KwaZulu-Natal (KZN(, and relocated to Vaalwater, Limpopo, with her family in 1989.
Marlene’s journey in politics began when she was recruited by Desiree van der Walt, a member of the DA’s Federal Executive Committee
Marlene was married to Hannes van Staden, a marketer for Obaro and a part-time farmer. Together, they welcomed a son, Luan.
She completed her matriculation at Hoërskool Nylstroom in Modimolle and pursued her higher education at the University of Pretoria (Tukkies).
There, she earned a BCom Degree with a specialisation in Tourism Management.
Marlene also acquired a Post Graduate Certificate in Education and a BCom Honours Degree in Business Management, with a focus on Financial Management, through Unisa.
While Marlene pursued her career in politics and governance, she found solace in leisure activities that brought balance to her life.
Reactions to Van Staden’s death
DA Federal leader John Steenhuisen praised Van Staden as a trailblazing politician and a pioneering public servant.
Recognising her efforts in building relationships with civil society organizations to enhance governance, Steenhuisen emphasised her influence in shaping the DA’s approach to governance. He stated,
“In many ways, she created the blueprint for the DA’s whole-of-society approach to governance, which has the potential to change the face of South African government in its entirety.”
Here’s how social media reacted to Van Staden’s death:
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Marlene van Staden is survived by her husband and two children.