Premier mourns colleague

The parliamentary counsellor to Gauteng premier David Makhura, Nokuthula Sikhakhane, died on Wednesday in hospital where she was receiving treatment after testing positive for Covid-19.

Her son Mthunzi Sikhakhane said his mother did not suffer from any comorbidity but she complained about having an ulcer and he rushed her to the hospital where doctors ran tests and told her she tested positive for Covid-19.

He described his mom as a family person, who enjoyed being around the people she loved.

He also said this was a saddening time for the family and she would be missed.

“Her death was sudden and very sad.”

Sikhakhane had worked in the Gauteng premier’s office since May 2014 .

In this capacity, she worked with all public representatives, leaders of different political parties and various constituencies. The parliamentary counsellor’s advice and feedback to the premier was always frank and wise.

Sikhakhane had extensive political experience as an anti-apartheid activist and a former member of the Gauteng Provincial Legislature deployed by the ANC.

Her experience made her an invaluable and indispensable member of the team of senior managers and advisors in the office of the premier.

Makhura added that he was disheartened by the sudden death of Sikhakhane and he had been praying that she would survive after contracting Covid-19.

“Gauteng has lost a diligent and loyal servant of the people who gave up her youth and dedicated [ herself] to the creation of a profoundly democratic, more inclusive and egalitarian human civilisation, as well as an accountable and ethical government.”

The premier said he was thinking of all the other families that have lost their loved ones due to the pandemic.

Gauteng Provincial Legislature (GPL) spokeswoman, Ntombi Mekgwe, also expressed her sorrow.

“On behalf of the entire GPL community, I would like to extend our deepest and heartfelt condolences to the Sikhakhane family and friends.”