Tributes pour in for ANC’S Mthembu
THE ANC in Kwazulu-natal was yesterday left reeling after the death of its provincial spokesperson Ricardo Mthembu who was described by the party as “a great comrade and a wonderful companion” in the struggle to build a national democratic society.
Mthembu, 50, succumbed to the deadly coronavirus yesterday, having spent several days in the ICU of a Ballito hospital where he had been admitted last week.
He was previously mayor of Kwadukuza Municipality for eight years and also served three terms as chairperson of the ANC’S Kwadukuza region (now General Gizenga Mpanza) before being elected into the ANC KZN PEC in July 2018.
Following the May 2019 general elections Mthembu was deployed into the KZN legislature and in August 2019 became the ANC’S provincial spokesperson, replacing Nomagugu Simelane-zulu who became Health MEC.
Political parties in the province, including Mthembu’s own ANC, the opposition IFP, DA and the EFF all paid their respects to Mthembu.
ANC provincial secretary Mdumiseni Ntuli said Mthembu, as provincial spokesperson, had not just been a voice to convey the “collective wisdom and collective messages of the ANC” but that he was a great comrade and a wonderful companion in the struggle to build a national democratic society.
“We are indeed very, very pained and deeply sad that the ongoing war against coronavirus has robbed us of an outstanding son of our people.
“We would like to convey our deepest and sincere condolences to his wife, his kids, his mother and all close relatives for such a painful loss of a brother, a husband, a father and a son,” said Ntuli.
Premier Sihle Zikalala said that Mthembu’s untimely demise had robbed the province of a comrade, a brother, a confidant and cadre who had a sharp brain, a deep sense of humility and extraordinary leadership qualities.
“He was one of the finest among us. In fact, speaking about him in the past tense will take a lot of getting used to. His passing has come as a complete shock to us, and brings home the cruelty of death.
“Mthembu was a dedicated, committed and tried and tested leader of the people of Kwazulu-natal. He always worked hard to better the positions of those he served. As a former mayor of Kwadukuza Municipality, he oversaw the exponential growth of the Kwadukuza Municipality and Ilembe District into an economic powerhouse and one of the fastest growing districts in the province,” said Zikalala.
During his tenure as mayor of Kwadukuza, Mthembu had facilitated massive infrastructure projects such as the construction of bridges, roads and hospitals.
DA provincial leader Zwakele Mncwango described Mthembu as “a man who understood democracy” and said that despite being in two opposing camps he had found that in their debates Mthembu was always prepared and open to debating tough issues.
“He also recognised that while we might come from different parties with different views, it did not mean that we had to be enemies. The passing of honourable Mthembu has again highlighted the terrible reality of Covid19,” said Mncwango.
IFP president Velenkosini Hlabisa said that Mthembu had been one of the members of the legislature who always made progressive contributions and that he would be remembered for his sociable and friendly personality.
EFF provincial chairperson Vusi Khoza, said: “We convey heartfelt condolences to the Mthembu family, the Mvelase clan and the ANC KZN on the untimely death of Comrade Ricardo Mthembu.
“May his soul rest in peace. “A lesson to us all is that Covid-19 is real.”