Bavelile Gloria Hlongwa

Bavelile Gloria Hlongwa (14 April 1981 – 13 September 2019) was a South African chemical engineer and politician from KwaZulu-Natal and a party member of the African National Congress (ANC). She was the Deputy Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy and a Member of the National Assembly of South Africa from May 2019 until her death in September 2019.

Early life and career Bavelile Gloria Hlongwa was born 4 April 1981 in the town of Umzinto in the previous Natal Province. She began her schooling career at Ncazuka Primary School in 1989 and matriculated from Sihle High School in 2000. She studied at the University of KwaZulu-Natal Howard College campus and achieved a Bachelor of Science degree in chemical engineering. While at university, Hlongwa became active in the ANC Youth League and other student organisations. She was pursuing a master's degree in public administration at the time of her death.

Hlongwa has held various leadership positions. She was appointed to serve on the Local Community Development Committee in 1999. Hlongwa was elected to the South African Institute of Chemical Engineers in 2011, and, in 2013, she was designated as treasurer for the structure. She was appointed executive deputy chairperson of the board of the National Youth Development Agency in 2017.

Death Hlongwa died on 13 September 2019, when a truck ploughed into a previous car accident scene she was assisting with. The accident claimed the lives of Hlongwa and three other people. The accident occurred close to Maubane Bridge on the N1 at Carousel Plaza, Hammanskraal. President Cyril Ramaphosa expressed his sadness about her untimely death and declared that a state funeral would be held for her.

A memorial service for Hlongwa was held on 19 September 2019. The University of KwaZulu-Natal cancelled its memorial service it was scheduled to hold for her. Hlongwa's funeral was held on 21 September 2019.