Education MEC mourned by many people in Limpopo

POLOKWANE – THE funeral service for education MEC, Thembisile Nwendamutswu, will be conducted at the University of Venda’s stadium in Thohoyandou on Saturday while the burial will be a private family matter.

Provincial spokesperson, Phuti Seloba said a memorial service would be held at the Jack Botes Hall in Polokwane tomorrow (Thursday) at 12:00.

Nwendamutswu died at a private hospital in Pretoria last Friday after a short illness.

Nwendamutswu, who was also the provincial ANC treasurer, served the government of Limpopo from June last year. The recent announcement of the gr. 12 examination results was delegated to public works MEC, Jerry Ndou, as Nwendamutswu was not well.

Basic education minister, Angie Motshega, said Nwendamutswu was a hardworking and committed leader. She said she was saddened by the death of a comrade and colleague. “We convey our condolences to her family, relatives and friends. She was a hardworking and committed leader and she will be sorely missed,” Motshekga said.

Premier Stanley Mathabatha sent his heartfelt condolences to the Nwendamutswu family.

The South African Democratic Teachers Association provincial secretary Matome Raphasha said Nwendamutswu was on the right track towards the transformation of education in the province. “The MEC was in the department of education for a short period of time but from the start the first programme that she ran involved road shows. Her road shows were very simple; they were very progressive. We never had problems unlike in the past where the road shows were used for other things.

“She made it obvious that she was an MEC who was ready to make a serious education transformation in the province,” Raphasha said.

ANC Youth League (ANCYL) provincial coordinator, Musa Chabane, also conveyed a message of condolence to the Nwendamutswu family. He said the ANCYL had learnt of the untimely demise of Nwendamutswu with sadness. “Her unfortunate death has robbed South Africa of one of its finest politicians, and a strategist of high note. After the disbandment of the provincial executive committee in 2013, she was roped into the provincial task team as the interim treasurer, a task that she did with aplomb and a high level of integrity.

“A former exile, she is credited with turning the Independent Development Trust into a world-class state agency, and there were signs that she was steering the department in the same direction.

“Her stay as provincial treasurer stabilised the ANC’s finances. Her death has shocked all, but her revolutionary zeal will stand the test of time,” he said.

DA Limpopo leader, Jacques Smalle reacted with shock to her death. He extended his condolences to the people of Limpopo, friends and family of the deceased.

“She will be missed, particularly for her braveness when she took up the responsibility of ensuring that learning in Limpopo schools was well in progress. Her open-door policy trademarked her as a leader who intended to display her political will to the benefit of Limpopo education.

“Not only did her family lose a mother but all school going children of Limpopo have lost a mother who was expected to provide quality education for her children,” Smalle said.