VRYHEID KZN: Passing of Municipal Manager Bonga Ntanzi
“Mr Ntanzi was not just a boss to us, but a father. He was a good man to work with. His legacy will live through his work and our hearts.”
The life of Mr Bonga Ntanzi was celebrated on Monday, as his memorial service was held at Cecil Emmett Hall. Mr Ntanzi was the municipal manager at AbaQulusi Local Municipality for years.
Family, friends and colleagues gathered at the hall to pay tribute to a life taken too soon. Different people gave speeches on how they will remember him, recounting their memories of Mr Ntanzi and how he impacted on their lives. A member of the family (his uncle) described Mr Ntanzi as a leader; as someone who led the people he worked with and also in his family. “Bonga was a problem solver in our family. He was good-hearted and addressed everyone with respect. He has done a lot of good deeds for our family and we, in turn, did not see or treat him as a son or a child, but saw him as a man.” His uncle thanked AbaQulusi Local Municipality for the memorial service.
During the service, lots of people described Mr Ntanzi as a man who left a legacy. Dr Mlotshwa from AbaQulusi Private Hospital took to the stage and spoke about how Mr Ntanzi took part in the building of the hospital. “He played a big role in the building of the hospital; he showed us what leadership is. That time when he was not feeling so well, he used our facility, but he did not stay for a long time. On behalf of the AbaQulusi Private Hospital staff, we would like to thank him and also send our deepest condolences to his family and his colleagues at the municipality.”
Those who worked closely with him emphasised the fact that he was a man of style, as he dressed impeccably at all times. They also mentioned that he was a man who smiled a lot; he was a happy man. Mrs Ndlozi, who had the opportunity to work with him at the JOC (Joint Operations Committee), mentioned that she started working with him during the outbreak of the pandemic, when they were trying by all means to curb the spread of the virus in communities falling under the municipality. She also said that is where she learnt he was a humble and respectful man who had love for his work. “Mr Ntanzi didn’t call us by our names, but normally used our clan names to address us, I would like to thank his family for lending him to us, as he was a man who worked hard for the community, especially during the unrest (looting). He was a man who encouraged workers to push, even though at times you could see it became harder”. In closing, she chose a Scripture from the Bible (Isaiah 57 verses 1 and 2) and read it to the people gathered in the hall. Mam Maria, who is a councillor in one of the wards in AbaQulusi Local Municipality, mentioned that Mr Ntanzi was a ‘believer’ and you could see that through his work, as his work spoke for him. Mam Maria touched on the issue of the Eskom bill that was owed by the municipality. “Through him and the administrator, Mr Mkhize, the Eskom bill was cleared.” Mam Maria also mentioned other good things he did for the municipality, concluding that his are very big shoes to fill now that he is no more.
Mr Hlela from the Traffic Department, who spoke on behalf of the ACCF Committee (pastors committee led by Pastor Zakwe), said that, as the committee, they had worked a lot with Mr Ntanzi, as Mr Ntanzi worked alongside the pastors frequently. He comforted Mr Ntanzi’s wife with the following words: “God is never in trouble, God has a way and He knows what will happen, so put your trust in Him and Him alone.”
DA councillor Alta de Kock sent her condolences to Mr Ntanzi’s wife, saying that he was always friendly and an example to them. She said Mr Ntanzi always calmed them in the council… and that she called him ‘Mr Vryheid’, since he was always dressed smartly. She thanked him for always being there for everybody, and said that the municipality has lost a member who really cared for the community.
His funeral took place on Tuesday (September 7) at Cecil Emmet Hall, where close family members, friends, colleagues and community members again gathered to bid their last farewell to Mr Ntanzi. Ayanda Ntanzi, who is a famous gospel singer and also the niece of Mr Bonga Ntanzi, was the programme director for the day. Mswela, Mr Ntanzi’s mother-in-law, said Bonga was a family man, as he loved his family so much. She described him as a man who was very intelligent, a man who shared Scriptures from the Bible, and a man who sang along to the music he loved. “We have good memories of Bonga that will stick with us forever.”
Thabo Xaba from AbaQulusi Local Municipality, who spoke on behalf of the municipality staff, said, “Mr Ntanzi was not just a boss to us, but a father. He was a good man to work with. His legacy will live through his work and our hearts.” Mr Ntanzi’s funeral was streamed live on social media platforms, where people commented and sent their heartfelt messages and condolences to family, friends and colleagues. Rest in Peace, Bonga Ntanzi, Fakazi!! ALSO READ:VRYHEID KZN: Passing of Municipal Manager
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