By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Deputy President Paul Mashatile’s office says he is doing fine after he collapsed while delivering a keynote address during the N’wamitwa Day Celebration in Giyani in Limpopo on Saturday.
Mashatile addressed the gathering in his role as chairperson of the Presidential Task Team on Traditional and Khoisan Leadership.
Before he collapsed and was escorted from the stage by security and emergency personnel, he expressed a powerful message: “We must collaborate to build a more equitable and united South Africa, as we approach another 30 years of democracy. Let us renew our commitment to the National Development Plan, aiming to end poverty and reduce inequality by 2030.”
Mashatile’s acting spokesperson, Keith Khoza, says the doctor who examined the deputy president never mentioned the issue of poisoning.
He added that the deputy president “is doing well”.
“We found that the reason he collapsed was dehydration as a result of extreme heat. The issue of food poisoning was never confirmed by the doctor, even though he said he felt like he had consumed poison.”
“He is fine. He was thoroughly checked by the doctor, and he is back to his normal mood.”
The N’waMitwa Day is aimed at commemorating the inauguration of Her Royal Highness Hosi N’waMitwa II. It took place on August 29 2008. She is regarded as a pioneer woman traditional leader among the Vatsonga people.
Meanwhile Mashatile has called on citizens to recommit themselves to the values of compassion, justice, and unity in honour of the late Ronnie Mamoepa.
He delivered a keynote address at the Ronnie Mamoepa Inaugural Annual Lecture at the Tshwane University of Technology’s Pretoria campus on Friday.
Mamoepa passed away in July 2017 after a long illness at the age of 56.
His last position was the spokesperson for the Deputy President at that time, Cyril Ramaphosa.
Hosted by the Ronnie Mamoepa Foundation, the inaugural annual lecture honoured the struggle hero, whose work in government communication helped shape the democratic narrative in South Africa.
He described him as a revolutionary intellectual due to his critical thinking. “Mamoepa was an intellectual who, like other revolutionary thinkers, recognised the necessity of investing in research, reading, and critical theory and discipline.”
The Deputy President remembered that following his release from Robben Island, Mamoepa returned to his residence in Atteridgeville, Pretoria, and resumed his political activities.
The Deputy President said he believed the late government communicator would have backed the Government of National Unity (GNU).
He told the attendees that GNU parties have made a firm commitment to respect the Constitution and the rule of law, as well as to promote accountability, transparency, integrity, and good governance.