The former minister of health Manto Tshabalala-Msimang was praised as a hero for her work in the health sector and as a political activist at her memorial service at the Durban City Hall on Monday .

African National Congress secretary general Gwede Mantashe said the late minister should be given respect for absorbing all the negative publicity on behalf of the African National Congress.

"Negative publicity tends to dwarf the positive work. It's important that were pay respect to Manto for absorbing the pain on behalf of the ANC," said Mantashe, adding that she was following ANC policies while minister of health.

Tshabalala-Msimang had not sulked nor resigned from the ANC when she was left out of the Cabinet following the April elections, he said.

An emotional Pulani Kingston, daughter of Tshabalala-Msimang, read an account of her mother's life, highlighting her achievements.

KwaZulu-Natal premier Zweli Mkhize praised her implementation of the anti-smoking laws.

"Manto showed deep commitments. She received more criticism than credits such as the anti-smoking campaign. The things she did were policies of the ANC," said Mkhize, who added that nutrition was important in the foundation of the fight against TB and Aids.

Mkhize said despite Tshabalala-Msimang's death, the work with traditional healers would continue as well as educating people on the importance of nutrition.

Home Affairs Minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma said she admired Tshabalala-Msimang's commitment and her ability to stand for what she believed in.

Zanele Mali, Tshabalala-Msimang's sister, blasted the media on the way it wrote about her sister, saying media reports never took into consideration the families involved.

Congress of SA Trade Unions president Sdumo Dlamini said Tshabalala-Msimang raised the Aids debate to another level and also stressed the importance of keeping the tripartite alliance together.

Mantashe also criticised public fighting within the ANC.

"We are giving away morals in our country. We must be seen to be united? The tendency of fighting must stop," said Mantashe.

Tshabalala-Msimang's husband Mendi Msimang attended the service.

Mathews Phosa, ANC treasurer general, Judge President Vuka Tshabalala, Minister of Health Aaron Motsoaledi, Minister of Human Settlement Tokyo Sexwale and Minister of Women, Children and People with Disabilities Noluthando Mayende-Sibiya were also there.

ANC Women's League members attended in their numbers, dressed in their green and black uniforms singing and chanting slogans including: "Viva Manto, viva", "Spirit of Manto, long live".

Nurses in full uniform paid their last respects.

A special official funeral for Tshabalala-Msimang would be held on Tuesday in Pretoria at the Catholic Cathedral of the Sacred Heart.

Tshabalala-Msimang died last Wednesday of complications from a liver transplant in 2007.