‘One of the finest’ - Zikalala on Ricardo Mthembu
KwaZulu-Natal Premier Sihle Zikalala has described the late Ricardo Mthembu as one of the finest leaders of his time.
“He was one of the finest among us. In fact, speaking about him in the past tense will take a lot of getting used to,” Zikalala said on Wednesday following the news of Mthembu’s death.
Mthembu, who was the former mayor of KwaDukuza and the provincial spokesperson for the African National Congress (ANC), died in hospital on Wednesday after contracting Covid-19.
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“As the provincial government of KwaZulu-Natal, we are devastated and deeply saddened by the passing away of Mr Ricardo Mthembu, a hardworking Member of the Provincial Legislature and a tireless servant of the people of KwaZulu-Natal," added Zikalala.
Mthembu’s death follows that of North West Cooperative Government and Traditional Affairs MEC Gordon Kegakilwe on Tuesday.
Kegakilwe also succumbed to a Covid-19 related illness while being transported to a different hospital in Klerksdorp.
North West Premier Job Mokgoro has also checked himself into hospital after testing positive for Covid-19, while Western Cape Premier Alan Winde also announced on Wednesday that he has tested positive.