By OBAKENG MAJE
Heartfelt condolence messages continue to pour in after the untimely death of the Minister in the Presidency, Jackson Mthembu who died on Thursday due to COVID-19 related complications.
North West Premier, Prof Job Mokgoro also sent his earnest condolences to the family of the deceased. Mokgoro described Mthembu as one of the dedicated and hardworking Ministers he has come to know.
“We have received the news of the passing of Mthembu with great shock. As we try to digest this painful reality, we will remember him as a dedicated member of the ruling party whose work ethic has never been doubted in all the positions he occupied.
“He died with his boots on, in the forefront of the fight against the invisible enemy. It is not a surprise that he was deployed in the Presidency. We are very much saddened by his passing,” he said.
Mokgoro further said they will dearly miss the enormous contribution Mthembu has made in different aspects of the lives of South Africans. He said on behalf of the North West Provincial Government (NWPG) and its citizens, send their deepest regards to the Mthembu family and friends.
“We once more plead with the citizens of the province to continue to adhere to all lockdown regulations to curb the spread of the virus and safe lives,” said Mokgoro.
Meanwhile, the African National Congress (ANC) Caucus in the North West Provincial Legislature (NWPL) shared the same sentiments. NWPL ANC Chief Whip, Paul Sebegoe expressed shock following the death Mthembu.
He also described Mthembu as a revolutionary giant and a true patriot.
“We wish to convey our deepest condolences to the Mthembu family, relatives, cabinet colleagues, friends including comrades as well as the ANC and the people of South Africa that Mthembu served with integrity and dedication.
“His death is an epic loss because in him Africa and the country had lost a champion of the marginalized and downtrodden, a gallant freedom fighter who had dedicated his life to the liberation of our people and the betterment of their lives,” highlighted Sebegoe on behalf of the caucus.
The South African National Editors’ Forum (Sanef) also sent its regards to Mthembu’s family. Sanef chairperson, Sbu Ngalwa said: “Out of many roles he played within the ANC, the media will always remember him as the friend and defender of media freedom and freedom of expression. Mthembu served as a spokesperson in the Mpumalanga Province for both the ANC and for the provincial executive. He moved on to be the national spokesperson of the governing party.
“Throughout his tenure, he showed tremendous respect for and gave journalists from mainstream media to community media equal opportunities and access to leaders.
He did not discriminate between senior and young journalists and ensured that they got the chance to ask questions.”
Ngalwa added that Mthembu always strove to build bridges and forged the professional spirit between media and politics. He said Mthembu was working with SANEF in the past few weeks towards fulfilling President Cyril Ramaphosa’s undertaking to initiate dialogue to find solutions for sustainable funding models for the media sector in the country.
“He was also organizing the first, in over 10 years, lekgotla between the executive and SANEF. It was also going to be the first under the Ramaphosa administration. SANEF regards his death also as a great loss of a voice of reason and an ally of the freedom of expression inside the governing party.
“Mthembu stood up and defended media freedom. He had frank and honest qualities in dealing with the media that are rare among politicians. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family at this time of great loss. He will leave a great void in the presidency,” he said.
The Guardian 