Salt Rock’s ‘Ibhubesi’ leaves a void

News of Salt Rock ward 22 councillor Malcolm Hubner’s sudden death on Sunday came as a shock to many.

The 69-year-old man died from a heart attack in his Salt Rock home, leaving behind two sons, grandchildren, and his wife Dagmar.

Born in December 1949, the no-nonsense politician who was also seen as a ‘gentle giant’ to those who knew him well, joined local politics in 2014.

Hubner worked at Standard Bank in Johannesburg for 37 years after he completed his matric.

After accepting a retrenchment package, he moved to Bethlehem with his wife and children where he spent years farming cattle before he took the decision to join politics shortly after moving to Salt Rock.

When visiting his office, many had the pleasure of listening to his tales of riding motorbikes and fighting veld fires in his younger years, which was washed down with a cup of coffee and jokes a plenty. He often spoke of how his goal in politics was to create a better world for his grandchildren and generations to follow – one that was free of corruption and rested on principle and hard work.

Also read: Salt Rock councillor Malcolm Hubner dies at 69

Last Thursday, Hubner shared with the Courier that he planned to run in the 2021 local government elections.

DA caucus leader Madhun Sing, described his colleague as a gentle, caring and loving person.

“I was the first person he consulted about his health issues last December and I advised him it was in his best interest to slow down because of his heart condition and resign as chairperson of the Ilembe constituency. Hubner heeded my advice. For the last three months, he was unwell. We worked well at caucus, political level, and council. Late Hubner took each day in his stride and never complained.”

DA constituency head for Ilembe Dean Macpherson, said the councillor’s untimely death left a massive void and that the party would announce their plans for his position next week.

“Councillor Hubner served on the KwaDukuza executive committee as well as the DA’s chief whip in council. He was also the Ilembe constituency chairperson for a number of years. The by-election for a new ward councillor will only be after the national elections in May.”

KwaDukuza mayor Ricardo Mthembu, deputy mayor Dolly Govender, speaker of council Phumlile Zulu and ANC chief whip Dumisani Ndimande visited Hubner’s home on Monday morning.

Mthembu said it was hard to accept the death of the councillor who was fondly known as ‘ibhubesi,’ which means lion.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the Hubner family in this sad time,” he said.

Ilembe mayor Sduduzo Gumede said his council was also deeply saddened by the news.

“Hubner was dedicated to serving his local community and worked tirelessly to make a positive difference to the lives of the people he was elected to represent.”

Hubner’s memorial service will be held on Thursday, April 4 at the Umhlali Methodist Church from 3pm.

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