Former KwaDukuza municipality mayor, Ricardo Mthembu who died from Covid-19 complications last Wednesday morning, was making a full recovery and was scheduled to be discharged from KwaDukuza Private Hospital the week before he died.
His wife, Zodwa Mthembu spoke to the Courier about the sudden passing of her husband.
“Everyone was confident he was going to make a full recovery and even the doctors told the family he was responding well to treatment. It never occurred to us that his condition would deteriorate and we would lose him so suddenly and unexpectedly,” said Zodwa.
She said Mthembu (50) suffered from diabetes and was admitted to hospital with mild flu-like symptoms which they thought was related to his diabetes.
He tested positive for Covid-19 and was breathing without assistance.
“We were not allowed to see him in the isolation ward but we spoke on the phone daily and he remained in good spirits and was confident that he would be home soon.
“His main issue was he was bored. None of us ever believed we would lose him as he made good progress and showed signs of beating the infection.”
The Friday Mthembu was due to be released from hospital his oxygen level readings were low and doctors used a high-flow mask to boost them.
He was moved into the intensive care unit when his condition deteriorated and was intubated and placed on a ventilator.
“He was sedated and put on a ventilator to help him breathe. We were told he was stable and responding to the ventilation.”
Things took a turn for the worse and on Wednesday morning the family received news that Mthembu had died.
“It still feels surreal and we are still trying to process it all. We don’t know where to go from here without him. He was always focused on his family and being a good provider. His death has left a huge hole in our family.”
The eldest of three, Mthembu grew up in Macambini (Mandeni) and moved to KwaDukuza for high school.
In a previous interview with the Courier Mthembu said growing up poor had motivated him to join politics to make a difference.
Mthembu joined the ANC Youth League at the age of 16 and, despite his youth, became active in the underground liberation movement, abandoning his studies to devote himself full-time to political activism.
However, in 1995 he went back to school to complete matric. He was in his 20s at the time.
Mthembu’s formal career in politics began in 2006 as a PR councillor for Ward 9 in Stanger.
He was elected mayor of KwaDukuza in 2011, and was praised for bringing together the different factions in the ANC in the province.
He was re-elected for a second consecutive term in August 2016.
In May 2018, Mthembu was elected for a third successive term as chairperson of the ANC’s KwaDukuza Region (now General Gizenga Mpanza) before vacating the seat to join the provincial legislature after the May 2019 elections.
Last year he was elected to the ANC provincial executive committee (PEC) to serve on the provincial working committee, which is responsible for the day-to-day work of the organisation.
He was appointed the party’s provincial spokesperson in August 2019 and was chair of the provincial co-operative governance portfolio committee at the time of his death.
KZN Premier Sihle Zikalala, who visited Mthembu’s family in KwaDukuza last Wednesday morning, paid tribute to Mthembu saying his death had left the entire KZN cabinet devastated.
“He was one of the finest among us. He always worked hard to better the positions of those he served.”
Health minister Zweli Mkhize described him as a true soldier and said Mthembu’s passing had robbed the organisation of one of its finest cadres.
“He was a dedicated soldier for freedom and democracy who spent his life fighting for the betterment of our people.”
DA provincial leader Zwakele Mncwango described him as a “man who understood democracy” while IFP president Velenkosini Hlabisa said that Mthembu would be remembered for his sociable and friendly personality.
EFF provincial chairperson Vusi Khoza also conveyed his condolences to Mthembu’s family and the KZN ANC.
In an emotional tribute, acting KwaDukuza mayor Dolly Govender said the region had a responsibility to continue to champion the social issues he had held close to his heart.
His passion for the youth led him to founding the Njabulo Ricardo Charity Foundation.
Colleagues described him as a true patriot with a big-heart for the community and his political party.
Mthembu was buried at Thembeni cemetery in KwaDukuza on Saturday. He is survived by his wife, five daughters and a son.
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