Tributes pour in for former Joburg mayor Mpho Moerane.

By Lehlohonolo Lehana.

The former mayor of the City of Johannesburg, Mpho Moerane, has died at Milpark Hospital on Wednesday.

The devastating news was confirmed during a media conference by the family’s representative, Mike Maile, who said Moerane was certified dead at 5.54pm.

“The Moerane family is extremely saddened and disappointed over the untimeliness of their son, husband and father, Mpho Moerane, following his involvement in a motor vehicle accident,” he said.

Maile said Moerane was admitted to the intensive care unit of Milpark Hospital where he received maximum medical expert treatment, support and care for injuries sustained.

“He sadly did not respond positively to treatment and with heavy hearts and deep soreness, we confirm we lost our beloved Mpho this afternoon and his passing has deeply pained us,” he added.

According to the ANC, Moerane served as a regional treasurer of the party in Johannesburg.

The party said Moerane had also  served as a member of the mayoral committee responsible for environment and infrastructure services before he was elected mayor.

“Born and bred in Alexandra, comrade Mpho Moerane was highly conscious of the challenges faced by the community he was born in and, as such, the late 80s saw him become a student activist, and his activism grew beyond the corridors of the institution of learning. His entire life was anchored by service to others.”

The ANC said Moerane served as the branch treasurer of Ward 81 in Johannesburg from 1995 and was subsequently elected as the branch chairperson in 2011.

He was later elected as the zonal treasurer of Zone 13 and then the zonal chairperson where he served until he was elected regional treasurer in 2018.

“Comrade Mpho will be remembered for his lifelong activism, and for dedicating his youth to the ANC.

“He leaves a legacy of having championed the call by president Oliver Tambo to make apartheid unworkable and our country ungovernable in his days as a youth activist.”

The ANC said Moeranes death’ was a great loss to the movement and society at large.

“We are forever grateful for his contribution in bettering the ANC both in government and as a movement.

“To this end, the ANC conveys its heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, the residents of the city of Johannesburg, fellow councillors, comrades in arms and the entire liberation movement. We wish them strength and fortitude during this difficult time.”

In the past few months, the ANC has lost two mayors who both died after ascending to the mayorship position.

The first one was Geoff Makhubo, who died in the middle of last year due to complications related to Covid-19. The second one was Jolidee Matongo, who died in a car accident after spending the day campaigning with President Cyril Ramaphosa in Soweto.

Matongo’s death came a few weeks after Makhubo’s. Moerane was the next mayor, but his reign did not last long because of the short amount of time he had before the 2021 local government elections.

Tributes

President Cyril Ramaphosa has expressed his deep sadness at the passing of former Johannesburg Mayor, Mpho Moerane.

The Presidency in a statement said: “The President’s thoughts go out to Moerane’s wife, Fikile, and their four children, as well as the former mayor’s extended family and network of friends, comrades and colleagues.”

This is a sad day for Johannesburg and for the nation, as we mourn the passing of a vibrant, young leader.

“Mpho Moerane was an entrepreneurial, multi-skilled leader, who placed his talents and creative energy at the disposal of the citizens of Johannesburg by moving into public office with vast experience as a business owner and, earlier in his life, as an artisan.

“We will miss his contribution to his political home, the African National Congress, and to the development of Johannesburg as one of our country’s and continent’s most important economic and cultural centres.

“May his soul rest in peace, “Ramaphosa said.

Johannesburg mayor Mpho Phalatse has conveyed heartfelt condolences to former acting Johannesburg mayor Mpho Moerane’s wife, Fikile, his four children and the ANC.

Phalatse said Moerane, though seated across the isle of council, was always eager to engage on the development of the city, and on how leaders in Johannesburg could collectively work to serve the interests of residents because all were servants of the people, and not just party political representatives.

“Bitso (my namesake), as we affectionately used to call each other, will forever hold a special place in my heart — not just as a colleague but also as someone I called a friend,” Phalatse said.

She said the city, through the office of the speaker, will be in contact with the Moerane family and the ANC to offer its assistance to the family.

Moerane leaves his wife, Fikile Moerane, four children, his mother and siblings.

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