Struggle veteran Mike Nzotoyi dies in hospital
NELSON Mandela Bay ANC veteran Mike Nzotoyi died at St George’s Hospital yesterday after a battle with heart complications.
Nzotoyi, a former council chief whip, was admitted on Thursday and died at around 2pm yesterday, with the news sending shockwaves across the Bay.
A big player in the liberation struggle, Nzotoyi was revered by many who fought for freedom.
He was one of the city’s politicians who defected to the Congress of the People ahead of the 2009 general election, but later returned to the ANC.
Politicians and businessmen said Nzotoyi would be missed and would always be remembered for his “indescribable” contribution.
Former ANC regional chairman Nceba Faku described Nzotoyi as a true activist. Faku added: “He made mistakes – leaving the ANC to join COPE – but he learned from them.”
Close friend Mike Xego said he had visited Nzotoyi in hospital on Thursday.
“I was called and told he wanted to see me. I got very emotional. I cried. And as much as I am torn by his passing, he is released. It was his time,” Xego said.
Businessman Mkhuseli “Khusta” Jack, who was on his way to the airport when he got the news, said he was deeply saddened by Nzotoyi’s death.
“He was a major cog in the liberation wheel, especially in the last stretch from 1985 to 1990, shortly before [former president Nelson] Mandela’s release.
“Mike came back from [Robben Island] when our logistics were in tatters and created a network of resources – food, accommodation and so forth – in a structured way,” Jack said.
Ibhayi Business Development Forum chairman Rev Xolani Tengo described Nzotoyi as a humble family man who was a servant of the poor.
“He was a respected comrade of the ANC and a great communist philosopher.
“He was very pro-poor and a true political teacher who was known and loved by many in the ANC,” Tengo said.
Details of Nzotoyi’s funeral will be made known at some stage next week.
He leaves behind his wife, Karen, and children.