HEARTFELT CONDOLENCES: CHRIS HANI DISTRICT MOURNS LATE COUNCILLOR AND ACTIVIST NYAMEKA GONIWE

Mayor pays tribute to selfless, loyal, caring councillor ‘ ’

Activist and Chris Hani District Municipality (CHDM) councillor Nyameka Goniwe, 69, who fought in vain for justice over the brutal murder of her husband, struggle hero Matthew Goniwe, during the apartheid era, died in Cradock last Saturday.

Media reports indicate she was awaiting a Covid-19 test result (which proved negative), after she had selfisolated due to her experiencing shortness of breath and headaches.

The cause of her death is not yet known.

CHDM mayor Wongama Gela expressed his sadness over Goniwe s sudden death.

’

He described her as a selfless person with immense loyalty to the people s cause.

’

The CHDM is overcome “with deep sadness on the sudden passing of sis Nyami,

’ a selfless being and the wife of the late struggle stalwart Matthew Goniwe. Councillor Goniwe

“passed on after a short illness and her passing marks one of the most painful moments in our district.

We are thankful that we

“had the privilege to be part of her life and words are not adequate to explain the loss of this gentle soul. On behalf of the CHDM, we offer heartfelt condolences to her children Nobuzwe and Nyaniso and their beloved family at this difficult time. We also extend deepest

“sympathy to the community of Inxuba Yethemba Local Municipality which Goniwe has worked with for so many years.

We have lost a

“colleague, a friend, a great leader and a patriot whose life was dedicated to the betterment of others.”

Goniwe joined local government ranks in 2011 as the mayor of Inxuba Yethemba municipality and became the institution s

’ representative at CHDM for the full term. In 2016, she became a full-time councillor in the district and served in the municipal public accounts committee and later as a member of the mayoral committee, before she was redeployed back to Inxuba Yethemba as speaker. Gela said: We know we

“speak for many others when we say we came to appreciate, respect and love sis Nyami for the helpful,

’ supportive, and caring friend and leader that she was. She always put others

“first and we benefited greatly from her friendship and wisdom. May her soul rest in

“peace.”