By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Photo Credit:Facebook.
Newly elected Sarah Baartman District Municipality mayor Mzimkhulu Njadayi died after collapsing at the municipal’s premises on Wednesday.
In a statement the municipality, it expressed shock over Njadayi’s death.
“On behalf of the Sarah Baartman District Municipality, we send our condolences to the Njadayi family, his colleagues in the ANC and all political leaders across the length and breadth of this country.”
The municipality said further details would be released after consultation with the family.
ANC provincial chair and premier Oscar Mabuyane said Njandayi’s death, was a loss, not only to his family and the ANC, but to the people in his region.
“HIs untimely death is very shocking and unbelievable. I had a long chat with him at 6am [on Wednesday] and he did not tell me about any ailment. He was a gym fanatic and he was fit as a fiddle. I called him after I had missed his call from Tuesday night and we spoke at length about organisational matters.
“The ANC has lost good material. He was a robust comrade and was maturing day by day. It’s very sad that we talk of him being late. His region was looking up to him and he was our future as the movement. Unfortunately his time came so suddenly.”
Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Minister Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma has expressed condolences to the family of Sarah Baartman District Municipality Mayor, Councillor Mzimkhulu ‘Scara’ Njadayi.
In a statement, the Minister said Njadayi’s death had come as a shock, considering he had been elected into the position on 24 November 2021.
She said the Mayor had gladly accepted the responsibility with determination.
“Like a true soldier, he passed away with his boots on, in the first council meeting where important decisions are taken to better the work of local government.
“It is hard to come to terms with such a loss when we were still expecting a lot from him in terms of fighting poverty, increasing the pace of job creation, and to giving meaning and effect to local economic development programmes,” said the Minister.
The Minister and the department sent condolences to the Njadayi family, his friends and colleagues as well as the people of the district.