Minister in The Presidency, Jackson Mthembu has passed away from Covid-19 related complications.
President Cyril Ramaphosa has expressed his condolences in a statement released on the 21st of January.
‘It is with deep sorrow and shock that we announce that Minister in The Presidency, Jackson Mthembu passed away earlier today from Covid-related complications. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family at this time of loss’.
Minister Mthembu was an exemplary leader, an activist and life-long champion of freedom and democracy. He was a much-loved and greatly respected colleague and comrade, whose passing leaves our nation at a loss.
The 62-year old was admired for his anti-apartheid activism. Under President Nelson Mandela, he acted as the national spokesperson of the ANC between 1995 and 1997. From 2009 to 2014, he fulfilled the same role within the political party. From 2016, Mthembu served as the ANC Chief Whip in the National Assembly. Following the 2019 national and general elections, the Witbank born politician was appointed as Minister in the Presidency.
Mthembu’s eldest daughter, Nokhwezi Mthembu, died by suicide in 2019.
He leaves behind his wife, Thembi Mthembu, and their children.
It is with deep sorrow and shock that we announce that Minister in the Presidency Jackson Mthembu passed away earlier today from COVID-related complications.
Our thoughts and prayers are with his family at this time of loss.
— Cyril Ramaphosa 🇿🇦 #StaySafe (@CyrilRamaphosa) January 21, 2021
My condolences to family and colleagues of Jackson Mthembu.
We must not allow politics to forget our humanity. Giants are falling to this disease.
May he rest in peace🕯 pic.twitter.com/fBMDr0Fakw
— Herman Mashaba (@HermanMashaba) January 21, 2021
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