Joburg’s new mayor Jolidee Matongo dies in car crash
Matongo was the City of Johannesburg’s MMC for finance before he had been elected unopposed as mayor on August 10.
After serving in the position for just over a month, the newly elected Executive Mayor of the City of Joburg has died in a motor vehicle accident in Lenasia this Saturday, September 18.
According to the City of Johannesburg, mayor Matongo was travelling with two of his VIP protectors at the time of the accident. Both protectors sustained injuries.
The incident occurred after Matongo had participated in a local government voter registration drive in his birthplace, Soweto, alongside President Ramaphosa.
President. Premier. Mayor. The African National Congress at ALL levels on the campaign trail #RegisterToVoteANC 🖤💚💛 pic.twitter.com/wHh1tKSwSz
— ATHI GELEBA 🇿🇦 (@AthiGeleba) September 18, 2021
President Ramaphosa said It is hard to comprehend this tragedy, given the vitality and passion with which Mayor Matongo interacted with me and residents of Soweto so shortly before his death.
Matongo elected new Joburg mayor
“Mayor Matongo has been taken from us at a time when he was totally immersed in improving conditions and creating opportunities for all the people of Johannesburg and stakeholders in the metropolitan economy.”
“The time we spent together has been rendered a priceless treasure given his untimely and traumatic passing. May his soul rest in peace,” he said.
uMayor wethu flanked the President today with the Premier and Councillor candidates in Soweto. He was jovial and engaging Sowetans – we could not have imagined what will later happen.
These news are incomprehensible and tragic to us. RIP to our Comrade, Jolidee Matongo. pic.twitter.com/0YwccqSlbw
— ANC SECRETARY GENERAL | fikile Mbalula (@MbalulaFikile) September 18, 2021
Jolidee Matongo (46) was elected unopposed as the new mayor of Johannesburg on August 10 at the City of Johannesburg’s 27th extraordinary council meeting following the death of previous Executive Mayor Geoff Makhubo due to Covid-19 complications.
Joburg mayor succumbs to Covid-19
Condolences from social media are pouring in following the death of Jolidee Matongo:
I am shocked to hear of the sudden passing of Johannesburg Mayor, Jolidee Matongo.
My sincere condolences to his family, friends, and colleagues in the ANC.
Politics must always come last in these moments. He was taken far too soon.
— Herman Mashaba (@HermanMashaba) September 18, 2021
https://twitter.com/FaroutWith/status/1439312733586038790
Such sad and truly shocking news of the passing of newly elected Joburg Mayor Jolidee Matongo.
I am at a loss for words. We were with you in Soweto during the campaign trail, and now…
Rest in peace Mr Matongo pic.twitter.com/czIrASqfne
— Tshegohaco Moagi (@TshegoMoagi_) September 18, 2021
#BreakingNews | The newly elected Mayor of our beautiful City of Johannesburg (@CityofJoburgZA) #JolideeMatongo, has sadly passed away in a car crash this evening. He was not even 2 months into his post. RIP Mayor 😭💔 pic.twitter.com/H6L052qD7B
— Ameen Alexander 🇿🇦 #FreePalestine 🇵🇸 (@AmeenAlexander_) September 18, 2021
Ri do tangana Tadulu my brother. May your soul Rest In Peace Mayor Matongo #RIPJolideeMatongo 💔 pic.twitter.com/fO1rnBozHP
— Collen Mashawana (@collenmashawane) September 18, 2021