By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The Free State MEC for Education, Tate Makgoe, and his bodyguard died after their vehicle collided with three cows on the N1 outside Winburg.
In a brief statement, Tate’s spokesperson Sello Dithebe confirmed the incident.
“The Free State emergency services crews responded to an accident outside Winburg on the N1 earlier this morning at about 1.30am.
“On arrival they found a light motor vehicle that collided with three cows and three occupants were trapped inside it.
“They used the jaws of life to free the occupants and unfortunately, two were declared dead on the scene — MEC for education Tate Makgoe and one male protector.
“The one male driver of the vehicle suffered moderate injuries and was transported to Winburg Hospital for stabilisation, for later transportation to Bloemfontein,” Dithebe said.
Makgoe became the Education MEC in May 2009. During his tenure, the Free State had the highest matric pass rate in the country in four consecutive years.
Makgoe was the last original 1994 uninterrupted serving Member of the Provincial Legislature in the Free State. He served in many portfolios in the Provincial Government for almost three decades as well as the position of Chair of Chairs in the Legislature.
Free State premier Mxolisi Dukwana is expected to hold a briefing on Sunday morning to give more details.
Tributes
The Democratic Alliance (DA) expresses condolences to the family, friends and the ANC on the tragic passing of Tate Makgoe, Free State MEC for Education.
We also express our condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of the member of the protection services who died while on duty.
He will be remembered for his fine sense of humour, as a vigorous participant in debates of the Legislature and his respect for the decorum of the House. His last debate in the Legislature was on Friday during the debate on the SOPA where he spoke with pride on the Matric results in the Free State.
The Free State Executive Committee will be poorer for the loss of his institutional knowledge and many years of experience.
Former Free State Premier Sisi Ntombela is shattered by the death of the Education MEC, Tate Makgoe.
In a statement Ntombela expressed how she was shattered by the death of one of the province’s brightest stars.
“I am absolutely shattered by this terrible news of the passing of one of the province’s brightest stars. Comrade Tate was an absolute joy to work with. To have worked with him and witnessed his transformation from a young man as an MEC to a giant who revolutionised our education system is a memory I will always cherish. His passing has dealt a devastating blow to the Free State province, whose excellence in education is known across the country, thanks to comrade Makgoe’s hard work,” she adds.
ActionSA provincial chairperson, Patricia Kopane, says that the role played by the late Education MEC in fulfilling his civic responsibilities of serving the people of the Free State needs to be acknowledged. She says Makgoe characterised what is right with the education system, and under his leadership, the Free State achieved the highest matric pass rate over four consecutive years.
Congress of the People (COPE) national chairperson, Dennis Bloem, also expressed his shocked and sadness at the passing of Makgoe.
“This is a massive loss, not only to his family and Free State province, but a loss to the entire country. Tate Makgoe was a patriot who loved his people and country. He dedicated his whole life to fighting for the freedom of the oppressed masses of this country from a very young age. He was a leading figure in our struggle in the Free State. He spent time in jail for his involvement in the freedom struggle,” he said.
Bloem further stated that Makgoe’s contribution to the liberation struggle and education will forever be engraved in the history of the country.
The Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga has described the death of the Free State Education MEC Tate Makgoe as a “huge loss” to the nation’s education sector.
Fullview would like to extend its sincere condolences to the friends and family of Tate Makgoe.